An 18-year-old man has lost three fingers in a horrific firework accident. His family says the future of his hand is unknown.
According to a report by Cleveland 19, Andrew Stratton is lucky to be alive after he lit a defective firework on June 27. He graduated in May and reportedly entered a career in construction. His work plans are now on hold after losing three fingers and half of his thumb. Stratton told the outlet he had to wrap a belt around his arm to save it after the firework explosion. “I wrapped it around my arm as tight as I could,” he explained.
Stratton’s mother, Shawna Bowman, told Cleveland 19 she was upset when a video of the incident began circulating on social media. “You can hear Andy in the background screaming, ‘Somebody help,’ all the while someone is standing there filming him, essentially saving his own life,” Bowman said. “Because someone decided it was better to videotape it than to help him,” she added.
Stratton’s Family Calls The Incident A ‘Freak Accident’
Angel Newton, Stratton’s Godmother, has set up a GoFundMe to help with rising recovery costs. She also reveals more details about the incident. The fundraiser explains that the 18-year-old “leaned over to light a mortar (firework).” The device instantly exploded in his hand. “There was no ‘horseplaying’ or negligence on Andi’s part… simply a freak accident,” Newton clarifies.
Emergency services promptly arrived at the scene, but the fundraiser explains that most of Stratton’s hand was gone. He was rushed into surgery, and doctors saved as much of his hand as they could. The post claims that Stratton also burned his face and lower stomach. His Oakley sunglasses allegedly saved his eyesight.
The GoFundMe concludes that Stratton wants to return to work, but that requires a prosthetic hand. “Andi will need something more adapted to his lifestyle & that’s where we all come in. He needs our help,” the fundraiser explains. “Every penny donated will go to a fund to help him regain his independence, to a prosthetic hand that he can maintain a ‘normal’ adult life.”
Earlier this month, an LA Rapper, 4xtra, lost two fingers when a firework went off in his hand. The explosion reportedly blinded him temporarily, but his vision returned. It remains unclear if the fireworks were faulty.