13-year-old PWD critical after firecracker exploded in QC

A 13-year-old person with disability (PWD) is in critical condition after a firecracker exploded in Quezon City.

According to Raffy Tima’s report in “Saksi” on Thursday, CCTV footage showed that three boys were playing basketball in a court in Barangay Pansol. One of them picked up what looked like an elongated object near a tricycle.

The boy was seen shaking the object and tried to light it up at one point. When nothing happened, he passed it on to the male PWD victim, he lit it up then it exploded.

The male victim laid down on the ground. Meanwhile, the boy who first picked up the firecracker was able to walk away before the explosion.

The victim suffered severe injury on his thigh. His father immediately attended to him.

“‘Iuwi niyo na ako sa bahay kaya ko ‘to.’ Sabi ko, ‘Sabog yung hita mo. Kaya mo?’” said Jonathan Pacheco.

('Just take me home, I can handle this.' I said, 'Your thigh is wounded. You think you can handle that?')

The victim was rushed to the hospital. He will have to undergo five more surgeries to save both his legs.

His mother, on the other hand, called people to be responsible in disposing of firecrackers.

“Sana yung nag-iiwan ng paputok doon, makonsensya naman kayo,” said Emily Pacheco.

(To those leaving firecrackers there, I hope you feel some guilt.)

A barangay official said the site of the explosion was a designated fireworks area. But they insisted that it was cleared following last night’s new year celebrations.

Based on the CCTV footage, the barangay said the firecracker could be a fountain.

Authorities reminded the public not to pick up any firecrackers that were used during the new year’s eve celebration. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News