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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Chiara Fiorillo & Mark Branagan & Maynard Manyowa & Sara Odeen-Isbister & Mark Branagan

Boy, 17, dies on Bonfire Night as yobs launch fireworks in street in night of terror

A 17-year-old boy died after suffering serious injuries when a group of yobs threw fireworks in the street on Bonfire Night.

The tragic accident happened in Halifax, West Yorkshire, yesterday evening and police launched an investigation to try to piece together what happened.

The trouble was just one example of mayhem that took place on Bonfire Night in several parts of the UK, which witnessed fireworks being hurled around and emergency services coming under attack.

Footage from Halifax shows youths throwing fireworks in the street before cops arrive to stop them.

It is believed the group of young people was fleeing across nearby gardens when a teenager jumped over a fence and landed in a greenhouse.

The greenhouse reportedly collapsed around the boy, causing him to have an artery severed and bleed to death.

The boy was taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries despite frantic attempts by paramedics and doctors to save his life.

The area where the incident happened has been sealed off for a forensic investigation.

West Yorkshire Police at the scene of the incident in Halifax (Ben Lack-YappApp)

West Yorkshire Police said in a statement: "Police were contacted by the ambulance service shortly before 8:15pm yesterday evening (Saturday, 5 November) following reports of an injured male in the garden of a property on Vickerman Street, Halifax.

"The 17-year-old male was taken to hospital where, sadly, he died of his injuries.

"A scene is currently on in the area as officers establish the full facts of what has happened.

"The matter has been reported to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) as police were called to the vicinity due to a report of fireworks being set off prior to the incident."

Meanwhile in Leeds, the trouble started in Hyde Park and continued onto the surrounding residential streets.

The area resembled a battlefield with smoke hanging in the air from firework explosions as officers in helmets and carrying shields tackled the yobs.

The area has been sealed off as police investigate the incident (Ben Lack-YappApp)

Suspects were seen being cuffed and dragged away around 9pm on Saturday.

A woman even described how she and her flatmate looked out of a window only to see firework sparks hit the glass in front of them.

Student Sally-Anne Brayshaw, 19, said: “I live in one of the houses. My housemate and I were watching through my window. Some of the fireworks almost hit us square in the face.

“If the window wasn’t in the way or was open, we would have been scalded to hell.

The officers were in full riot gear (Ben Lack-YappApp)
The problems are believed to have started in Hyde Park in Leeds and spilled onto remaining streets (Ben Lack-YappApp)

“It originally started sometime at around five past nine, at least that’s when we saw it. I heard massive bangs and ran to the window.

“There was a group of police decked out in riot gear in full formation at the entrance to our street facing the rest of Thornville road.

“The police split after a bit and there suddenly were about six in a line facing the end of our road.

“Within about five minutes there were fireworks launching down at them, sparks hitting our window. You could see them hit some of the police and a few jumped back a bit.

Police in Leeds tackle thugs throwing fireworks last night (Ben Lack-YappApp)

“There was a lot of rushing forward and then falling back and rushing forward again but eventually after like 15 minutes the whole thing just stopped and the police walked away, I guess.

“Thankfully, there was the window between us but yeah I was scared. If we were out for a smoke or something like that and didn’t get inside in time before they started setting them off, it would have been horrendous.

“I didn’t get a look at the group who did it but there was a lot of shouting going on. Safe to say, I didn’t sleep well.”

Much of the trouble centred on the Thornville Street area, where cops could be seen being pelted with fireworks.

Video footage reportedly shows officers running through the streets dodging fireworks exploding all around them, creating a smoke screen.

Fireworks and missiles were thrown at officers as a small bonfire burnt away in the small park off Alexandra Road.

One woman in Leeds said firework sparks hit her window as she and her flat mate peered out (Ben Lack-YappApp)

Arrests continued throughout the night with the police using drones and the National Police Air Service to contain the groups.

One resident said: “This affects the whole community every year. There are children and animals scared because of immature people using fireworks incorrectly.”

Separate footage that emerged from Sheffield shows a bus being hit by a firework while a parked car is seen engulfed in flames.

A voice is heard in the background saying: "It's a war zone fam".

The footage was posted by 'ImJustSheff' on Instagram who said it happened in Darnall, a small neighbourhood three miles from Sheffield city centre, reports Yorkshire Live.

Local councillor Shaffaq Mohammed condemned the attacks, saying: "While most people will enjoy Bonfire Night, there is always a small minority that use tonight for unacceptable destruction of property.

"South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, thank you for your continued services tonight. Feel so sorry for the owner of this car on Norborough Rd Tinsley."

The scene in the Niddrie area of Edinburgh on Saturday night after a serious disturbance (PA)

There was also chaos in Edinburgh, with specialist officers descended on the Niddrie area of the Scottish capital after a serious disturbance.

Footage shared online showed a motorbike gang racing through the streets with fireworks being launched along the ground, seemingly aimed at people and vehicles.

Police closed Niddrie Mains Road to traffic, where earlier in the night a fire had been lit to block the road to passing vehicles.

Twelve people were arrested, and a further 15 were dispersed from Dispersal Zones. Police Scotland said further inquiries to identify more suspects will be taking place over the coming days and weeks.

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