Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
‘PIG’ FIREWORK BLOWS UP IN CHILD’S HANDS
Shonna burnt after finding toy-shaped rocket
A 12-YEAR-OLD girl has narrowly escaped being blinded after a pig-shaped firework exploded in her hands.
Ann-marie Loughran said her daughter Shonna couldn’t see following a flash that sent pain searing through her palms and stomach.
The St Patrick’s College pupil is being treated for serious burns after picking up what she thought was a dog toy in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, on Saturday.
Her mum added: “They had been to Mcdonald’s and were walking across Drumcoo playing fields to go to a friend’s house.
“Shonna saw the pig’s head and lifted it thinking it was a wee dog’s toy – and it exploded.
“When I arrived there were three or four police cars and an ambulance all sitting.”
The youngster was taken to Craigavon Area Hospital before being discharged to the Royal Victoria as an outpatient.
Ann-marie said: “There was a couple of deep burns on her hand and belly. They dressed her wounds and let her out.
“Her eyelashes, eyebrows and hair all got singed. Thank God she didn’t lose any fingers and there were no marks on her face.
“She knows she is lucky. She thought she had lost her sight. Because of the flash, she couldn’t see.
“Her hands are completely strapped up. She was at the Royal yesterday and they were peeling off dead skin. She has to go back and see the plastic surgeon.”
Ann-marie said she is incredibly grateful to those who went to her daughter’s aid.
The 38-year-old added: “There were a couple of teenagers who came over and helped her, which was brilliant. I think one had been doing a first aid course.”
And warning others to think about the damage fireworks can cause, she said: “Don’t touch them.
“A firework could go the wrong way and hit somebody or a child could pick it up. It’s not worth it.”