05 November 2023 , 10:06
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A rogue firework hit a five-year-old boy in the face and other spectators were injured as a bonfire night display descended into chaos.
Horrified Emma Redley, 40, took her son Rocco, five, to a bonfire night event on Friday but just a few minutes into the display, which drew a large crowd, a firework went off course and flew into the bystanders.
Little Rocco was left bleeding after a fragment of firework hit him in the face and frantic mum Emma had to rush him to the first aid tent at Stone Swynnerton Park Cricket Club where his injured chin was tended to – but she said the youngster was left "traumatised".
Emma Redley's son Rocco was hit in the face by shards from a firework (Emma Redley / SWNS)
Medics took the injured on stretchers to a tent for treatment (SWNS)The gathering descended into chaos as panicking people screamed in fear and fled for their lives. Emma, from Stone, Staffordshire, said: "Rocco wasn't majorly physically injured in the end, but he was terrified.
"It's the first display I've ever taken him to and he's told me now he never wants to see a firework again. I keep reliving the moment, it was terrifying. I see it back in slow motion but it all happened so fast. The worst thing is thinking that it could have been so much worse."
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There were reportedly at least six people injured in the horror incident including several children, with around 3,000 attending the display. Flares hit a baby's pram in the chaos and onlookers said they heard "instant screams" as the firework shot into the crowd – which was when a burning fragment collided with Rocco.
Medics on hand for the event treated people for burns and blisters after the fireworks were wrongly misfired. One witness told how the mother of the baby meanwhile quickly threw her hands out to protect the youngster. Emma added: "It was so, so scary seeing a firework shoot into the crowd – aiming straight for my son. I saw him jolt then start screaming and grabbing his chin – I ran him to the first aid tent."
However, after a brief pause to make an announcement requesting first aid, half the crowd walked out, with many of them in shock that the fireworks then resumed. Emma said: "When Rocco heard the announcement the fireworks would resume, he freaked out. He was absolutely terrified. He went as white as a sheet and went into shock."
She added: "That night he was scared to sleep because he could hear more fireworks outside. His physical injuries are OK but the mental scarring will stick with him. What makes it so scary is that it could have gone so much worse. Just because nobody was seriously injured doesn't make it OK."
Stone Swynnerton Park Cricket Club earlier said a 'briefing' was taking place and no one was available for comment. Staffordshire Police said they were not called out to the incident, while Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and West Midlands Ambulance Service were contacted for comment.