Fireworks work 
2003 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance
Here's all the info... not in a submission format, just as it was in the news. So you can confirm it while the info is available. I expect you'll get some submissions on it.
Original story on accident:
3 Jun 02
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,4437239%255E2862,00.html
Fireworks explode in boy's face
By PAUL ANDERSON
03jun02
A TEENAGER trying to beat Saturday night boredom was horrifically injured when an illegal mortar-type firework exploded in his face.
The boy, 16, was looking directly into a canister containing the lit skyrocket when it went off.
The Endeavour Hills boy and a friend, aged 15, tried to set off what police said was a "mortar-type firework" on a vacant block of land.
The blast was so big it shook windows and houses nearby.
The injured teenager was rushed to Dandenong Hospital with massive head injuries.
A family friend said: "Of all the kids that I know, he would be the least likely to get involved (with illegal fireworks)."
It is believed the teenager is an only child who attends Maranatha Christian School and a local weekend youth group.
He was last night clinging to life as his parents maintained a bedside vigil.
The tragedy unfolded about 10pm on Saturday when the two boys took the illegal firework, inside a canister about 10cm wide, to a vacant block of land off Ravenhill Cres, near the Monash Freeway.
"It appears they lit it and waited for it to go off," Metropolitan Ambulance Service spokeswoman Liz Tunnecliffe said.
"There was some delay and the boy put his head over the top to see what was happening and it exploded in his face.
"He received severe head and facial injuries. It was quite horrific."
Residents in Ravenhill Cres have told the Herald Sun the blast rattled windows and shook homes.
"I was watching TV at the time when I heard a large explosion. It went 'boom'. It was pretty big. It shook the window," one homeowner said.
Another added: "It shook the houses, it was that big. It must have been one hell of a firecracker."
s Tunnecliffe said: "The question is how these teenagers came to have such a significant explosive device in their possession. It was quite large.
"It was described as something you would see at a professional fireworks display.
"Fireworks that big can cause horrific injuries to any inexperienced person who handles them."
Arson squad detectives questioned the 15-year-old and a 24-year-old man. Both have been released.
Neither has yet been charged with any offence, but a quantity of unused fireworks was seized.
Residents said the use of illegal fireworks was growing more common.
The friend of the critically injured teenager's family said the devices were being sold on the street.
Another local said powerful fireworks, most from Canberra, were easily obtainable over the Internet and through black market sales in shops.
Police say the problem is difficult to combat.
One officer from a southeastern suburbs station said: "Unfortunately you are going to get kids experimenting with these sorts of things from time to time."
The state's fireworks black market has been estimated to be worth at least $1 million.
The illegal trade has been linked to China and to Canberra, where regulations are more lenient.
Fireworks are banned from public sale in Victoria. As of 2001, people not using licensed pyrotechnicians for fireworks displays face penalties of up to $40,000 and jail.
Subsequent death of Nominee
05 Jun 02
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,4451992%255E2862,00.html
Fireworks boy dies
05jun02
A TEENAGER who suffered horrific head injuries when hit by an exploding mortar firework died in hospital yesterday.
The victim, 16, was with a 15-year-old friend on a vacant block of land in Endeavour Hills about 10pm on Saturday when they lit the illegal device.
It exploded in the victim's face.
He was rushed to Dandenong Hospital with life-threatening injuries and underwent surgery.
Police seized fireworks from an Endeavour Hills home.
Submitted on 06/04/2002
Submitted by:
Rob P
Reference:
Herald Sun, Melbourne 5 Jun 02
Copyright © 2002 DarwinAwards.com
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