Two California teenagers were injured by fireworks on Independence Day, with one reportedly losing several fingers in the incident. The unfortunate event took place in Berkeley, where neighbors indicated that one teenager may have lost up to four fingers due to the explosion.
The Berkeley Police Department confirmed that two teenage boys were hurt during the blast. One of the teenagers sustained a 'significant' injury, while the other suffered minor injuries from the proximity to the firework but did not require hospitalization.
Although the identities of the teenagers have not been disclosed, it was revealed that the injured teenager taken to the hospital was a high school football player entering his senior season at Berkeley High School with aspirations for a college scholarship. Prompt response from the Berkeley Fire Department, police, and ambulance services followed the incident.
In a statement, the police emphasized the dangers of fireworks, highlighting their illegal nature and potential life-threatening consequences. The Berkeley Police Department expressed hopes for the full recovery of both juveniles involved in the accident.
Witnesses reported that a group of approximately 30 teenagers were present at the scene, engaging in fireworks activities about an hour before the injuries occurred. Surveillance footage captured boys playing football in the street as pyrotechnics lit up the sky, culminating in a blast around 9:50 p.m. The explosion resulted in a firework detonating in one boy's hand, prompting distress among onlookers.
