Boy loses fingers in firework blast
A 10-year-old boy has lost four fingers from his right hand and could face having it amputated after being involved in an accident with a firework.
The boy, from the Dromore area, is now in the Ulster Hospital where surgeons are battling to save his thumb.
If that can't be done, his whole hand may have to be removed.
The victim, who is said to be devastated by his injuries and still in shock, also faces a painful course of skin grafts to repair the damaged limb.
Police are now investigating how the boy came to have the homemade device, as it is suspected that someone older may have given it to him, or has even been offering them for sale in the area.
The incident happened last Saturday and the child's family circle are said to be in deep shock at his injuries.
Banbridge UUP councillor Carol Black knows the family and says they are all struggling to come to terms with his injuries.
She said the device was in effect a homemade grenade made out of various fireworks and bangers.
"It's caused devastation to the entire family – they are all in total shock.
"The little boy himself is also devastated at his injuries.
"He wasn't eating in the hospital and they thought it was shock, but it turned out to be because he was so upset at having to have his mum feed him.
"I'm so angry at this – that he was given or sold this dangerous homemade firework – and the irresponsibility of someone who could give or sell this to a child that age.
"Boys will be boys and they are all so excited about Halloween, but accidents will happen and they are too young to understand the danger.
"He's now lost four fingers and they are trying to save his thumb, but if not he'll lose his wee hand and is facing painful skin grafts.
"My heart goes out to him and the future he faces.
"I can't stress enough to parents, to young boys and to children in general the dangers of fireworks if they are not supervised."
The councillor said she hoped the police found out who was making the dangerous items and supplying them to young children.
"The police are looking into this - it's a serious investigation."
DUP councillor Paul Rankin said the boy's injury was an example of what could happen to anyone at Halloween.
He said: "I would pass on my best wishes to the young boy.
"I would also urge people to be careful as this is an example of what could happen at this time of year.
"Fireworks are too readily available, and we need to look into how people get them."
SDLP councillor Catherine McDermott said that the Banbridge District Policing Partnership held a meeting recently where the dangers of fireworks had been highlighted.
She said a surgeon from Craigavon Area Hospital had been present to show examples of some of the injuries received through their misuse.
Councillor McDermott said: "I have every sympathy for the boy - it is very regrettable that this happened."
A PSNI spokeswoman said yesterday: "At this stage the police cannot confirm if the firework was illegal.
"Investigations are continuing and police are following a number of lines of inquiry.”
The incident also prompted a police appeal to anyone thinking of using fireworks this Halloween to be extremely cautious.
Detectives in Banbridge said that Halloween is becoming one of the busiest times of the year for them, and anyone caught breaking the law will be dealt with robustly.
The police spokeswoman said that high visibility patrols will be operating in identified hotspots and anyone found to be involved in the misuse of fireworks or committing an offence could face prosecution.
Another young child was was reportedly injured yesterday after an illegal firework was thrown over a wall in Kilrea.
The child’s injuries are not thought to be serious.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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