home

Send to a friend

East Grinstead firework warning

A man who's face has been reconstructed by surgeons in East Grinstead is warning people putting on firework displays at the weekend to be careful.

Leslie Andrews was hurt four years ago when he lit one with a cigarette lighter and was too close.

The Irish farmer has been flown to the McIndoe Surgical Centre in East Grinstead for reconstructive surgery after what happened.

He says: "I don't want to spoil firework night for anyone - I enjoyed fireworks before this happened.

"But accidents do happen and I would urge people to do two things. Firstly, use a long taper when lighting fireworks as I was using a cigaretter lighter and was too close.

"Secondly, if a firework doesn't light first time, forget about it and never go back."

***

Peter Arstein's a Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at the McIndoe Surgical Centre and says: "This is not the first time we have seen firework injuries.

"Between our team of 20 aesthetic and reconstructive surgeons we have seen many injuries ranging from lost digits on hands that require reattaching or reconstructing to burns of varying degrees, and trauma injuries such as Mr Andrews."

We're being told to go to proper fireworks displays this weekend so we don't end up getting hurt in pranks.

Hear real 999 calls to Surrey police on fireworks night by clicking here.

You can hear calls to Surrey police from people reporting Halloween trouble here.

Have you ever been hurt by a firework or while trying to have a bonfire? Tell us your stories below.