Injured firework man ‘lucky to be alive’
A MAN seriously injured by a firework in Lewes is lucky to be alive, according to a doctor.
The 21-year-old was hit in the chest by a rocket at Landport Recreation Ground on Friday night, November 5.
Doctors and nurses from the South East Coast Ambulance Service rushed to help him at the firesite.
The man, a member of Commercial Square Bonfire Society, suffered very serious injuries and burns to his chest.
Doctors used emergency stabilising treatment to keep him alive and he was rushed by ambulance to Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.
Surgeons carried out emergency chest surgery in the operating theatre.
This morning (November 8) he was still in a critical but stable condition in intensive care, police confirmed.
Dr Alan Pearce was at the fire site with other health professions from the South East Coast Immediate Care Scheme (SIMCAS) team.
He said: “The man is extremely lucky to be alive after such a serious injury.
“Our role as prehospital emergency doctors is to provide specialist skills in just these situations.
“The Lewes bonfire celebrations are always a very busy time for the ambulance service and this incident highlights the very real dangers of fireworks.”
An investigation has been launched by police with Lewes District Council and the Health and Safety Executive.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Lewes
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
