A 14-year-old Cape Town boy has lost two of his fingers after lighting a cracker during fireworks displays on Guy Fawkes Day.
The incident, which happened at the Table View beachfront on Saturday, caused a stir when the boy was seen running towards paramedics.
According to a report from City Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson, Theo Layne, this was the most severe injury reported across Cape Town on the night.
“The boy, who was accompanied by an adult, had his hand injured when a cracker exploded inside its shell. Initially we thought he had lost three fingers, but after being assessed it was established that two were blown off while the third only had a cut.”
The boy was rushed to Somerset Hospital in Green Point while a woman and man who only identified themselves as his relatives, searched the dunes for the missing fingers.
“He came up from the beach and they (the fingers) were still on. It must have fallen here somewhere; please help,” the woman said.
Members of the Table View Neighbourhood Watch searched the dunes with torches, but could not find the fingers.
Table View resident Andrew Brace, who assisted with operations at the event, says when questioned it was revealed that the boy was dared to hold the cracker for as long as he could, after being lit.
“Those involved may deny it, but I specifically asked and that was what they said.”
