Two California teenagers were injured during Independence Day fireworks, with one of them reportedly losing several fingers, local media reported.
The incident happened Thursday night in Berkeley, where neighbors He told KTVU The explosion may have left the teenager missing four fingers.
The Berkeley Police Department told KTVU that two teenage boys were injured in the explosion, one with “serious injuries.” The other boy was near the fireworks at the time of the explosion and suffered minor injuries but was not taken to the hospital. According to KNTV.
The identities of the two boys have not been released. KRON 4 reported The boy who was taken to the hospital was a high school football player in his senior year at Berkeley High School, hoping to earn a college scholarship.
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Two California teenagers were injured during Fourth of July fireworks, one of whom reportedly lost several fingers. (iStock)
Berkeley Fire, police and ambulances arrived on the scene shortly after the incident, which serves as “a reminder that fireworks are dangerous, illegal and can be life-threatening,” police said in a statement.
“The Berkeley Police Department expects the minor and those involved in this accident to make a full recovery,” police continued in the statement.
Neighbors who spoke to KTVU and KNTV said a group of about 30 young people had been at the scene of the incident about an hour before the injuries occurred, some of whom began setting off fireworks.
According to KTVU, surveillance cameras showed boys playing football in the street as fireworks exploded in the sky around 9:50 p.m. The explosion occurred around 9:50 p.m. Reports said a firework exploded in the hand of one of the boys, causing people to scream.
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Neighbors said one teenager lost four fingers in the explosion. (iStock)
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After the explosion, the boy, who appeared to be in pain, yelled, “What the heck?” and “Call 911!” The other boys stopped playing football and some ran over to try to help the injured boy.
A neighbor told KNTV that the firework did not burn after it was lit and that the injured boy managed to grab it before it exploded in his hand, after his friend warned him to put it down, according to KTVU.
Blood stains were still visible on street corners and fences on Friday, KTVU reported.
