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Two men suffered serious injuries to their face and hands after a firework exploded inside a moving car.
Merseyside Police confirmed to the ECHO that the force was called to Brook Hey Drive, Kirkby, shortly before 12.30pm today, Sunday, November 5 following reports of a “loud bang”. Officers received a report that two men were seriously injured after a firework detonated inside a moving car.
New footage sent to the ECHO today captured the moment the firework exploded inside the car. Grey smoke can be seen billowing out of the car and a bright red spark shows the firework burning inside. A passer-by walking on the pavement is seen ducking for cover while the car continues on down the road before the video ends.
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The ECHO received reports from eyewitnesses that all the occupants “bailed out” of the car before three got back into the vehicle, leaving one man on the road. The man was reported to be “very badly hurt” with eyewitnesses reporting he had “lost part of his hand”.
One man also wrote in a local Facebook group that “the bang was crazy then the screams straight after it.” A spokesperson for Merseyside Police has since reported that two men sustained serious injuries to their face and hand and were taken to hospital for treatment.
The car, a black BMW, drove off from the scene. Emergency services including North West Ambulance Service attended the incident and following enquiries it is believed the firework went off accidentally. Emergency services had left the scene by 2pm.
Chief Inspector Duncan Swan, commander of Merseyside Police’s Bonfire Night operation, said: “Please be cautious when handling fireworks as accidents like this can happen causing serious or fatal injuries. They are not something to be messed with but should be handled in a responsible and controlled manner.
“Everyone should be aware that it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to possess or use fireworks in a public place. We urge the public to be cautious and to think again before holding a firework display at home, and instead encourage you to attend organised displays as they are controlled and safer which means less risk of people being injured or bonfires spreading out of control.”
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