A grandmother said her grandson’s face “is almost gone” after a fireworks accident in Waukegan that required him to be flown to the hospital due to the severity of his injuries.
The Waukegan Fire Department and Waukegan Police Department responded around 10:10 p.m. Saturday to the 400 block of North County Street for a report of a person injured call.
Firefighters and paramedics arrived to find a male victim with burn and other traumatic injuries, according to fire department radio traffic.
Paramedics transported the man to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan where a LifeNet medical helicopter landed to meet them.
The flight crew transferred the victim to the helicopter and flew him to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge for treatment.
Carman Benson, who is the grandmother of the victim, told news stations that her grandson was trying to light fireworks.
The fireworks did not go off and the man, who is in his 20s, went over to check on the fireworks and they exploded in his face, Benson said.
“His face is almost gone. It doesn’t make sense why do they sell this kind of stuff for these people to buy,” Benson said.
The Waukegan Fire Department has not released additional information on the incident or given an update on the victim’s condition.
Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez said that the public should avoid using fireworks due to the dangers.
“Fireworks are dangerous and should only be used by trained individuals. Fireworks not only could injure those shooting them but could also start fires in neighborhoods. Remember, fireworks should only be used by professionals.”