This year's Punkin Chunkin has been canceled due to a pending lawsuit by a woman critically injured during last year's event, according to a Facebook post by the organization Wednesday morning.

Suzanne Dakessian was managing a camera crew for Sharp Entertainment – a group producing a television special for Discovery’s Science Channel – when the trap door of an air cannon exploded off the machine and hit her in the head during the final day of the 2016 event.

Last week, Dakessian filed a lawsuit against the organization, its leaders, the state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the farm where the event is held.

In a statement posted on Facebook by Punkin Chunkin, organizers cite the lawsuit as a main reason for the cancellation.

THE LAWSUIT:Woman injured at Punkin Chunkin files federal lawsuit against Delaware officials, organizers

"The landowners who graciously donate the use of their property each year for our nonprofit endeavors are also listed as defendants," the statement said. "They are reluctant to host our 2017 event in light of the lawsuit."

"With less than 74 days until our event, we are left with no options. It is with our deepest regrets that we announce that 2017 Punkin Chunkin is canceled and with it, the economic impact that Delaware receives, the funds that we generate to help fund other nonprofits and the scholarships for deserving youth. Refunds will be issued within the week."

The competition resumed last year after a two-year hiatus during which organizers struggled to find a location willing to host the event and an insurer for the weekend-long tournament. A previous lawsuit against the organization had raised questions about Punkin Chunkin's safety.

A former event volunteer sued the venue owner in 2013 for injuries sustained in an ATV accident during Punkin Chunkin. Although the suit was eventually dismissed, the land owner immediately evicted the event, which was suspended in 2014 and 2015 during the search for a new venue.

During its two-year break, officials looked into moving from its longtime Bridgeville home to an area near Dover Downs Hotel & Casino and even considered moving it out of state, eyeing multiple Maryland locations.

Wheatley Farms agreed to take on the event, which drew about 100,000 people last year, and therefore took on any and all safety concerns associated with the competition on their property, according to the lawsuit.

The farm and farm owners failed "to use reasonable care in ensuring that the activities being engaged on their property in the presence of thousands of lawful invitees was safe," according to the lawsuit.

Punkin Chunkin again expressed sympathy to Dakessian, who said in the lawsuit that she has been left with severe and permanent injuries because of negligence and wrongful conduct by the defendants.

"It is unfortunate that Suzanne Dakessian was injured, and we continue to extend our best wishes to her, her family and her loved ones," Punkin Chunkin's statement said, adding they will make no further comment.

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HOW IT HAPPENED:Trap door explodes, hits woman in the head

Dakessian's lawsuit seeks, among other things, economic and non-economic damages, as well as compensation for past and future pain and suffering and other relief the court deems just.

The airing of the scheduled three-hour special never happened, and organizers last year said little about the future of Punkin Chunkin, other than that they hoped to see it continue.

The annual event draws thousands to the Bridgeville area, where homemade air cannons fire pumpkins thousands of feet into farm fields. Many competitors traveled from across the country to compete in the "world famous" event.

Two weeks ago, Frank Payton, president of the World Punkin Chunkin Championship Association, said that without more sponsors, the November Punkin Chunkin could be the last. The statement posted to Facebook Wednesday gives no indication of the event's future in Delaware.

The Science Channel had already pulled out of the event and did not plan to return this year, Payton told reporters earlier this year.

Contact Brittany Horn at (302) 324-2771 or bhorn@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @brittanyhorn.