HIGHLANDS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A 12-year-old boy is hospitalized and will likely lose portions of his fingers after fireworks exploded in his hand on the Fourth of July.
A Highlands County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said dispatchers received a 911 call at 9:17 p.m. from someone who said a boy had “blown his hand off” while using fireworks. The caller said the boy was being taken to Florida Hospital in Lake Placid.
A HCSO deputy responded to the hospital. The deputy learned that the boy was with friends near the Highway Park Community Star Center Complex in Lake Placid. The boy ignited an unknown type of fireworks and before he could throw it, it exploded in his hand.
The boy severely injured his right hand and will most likely lose portions of some of his fingers, according to the HCSO.
He was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital where he underwent surgery. As of 5 a.m. on July 5, the boy was out of surgery and was in stable condition.
The HCSO will continue to investigate the incident.
The Highway Park Community Star Center Complex is located at 141 Josephine Avenue in Lake Placid.
