Teenager loses eye after attempting to relight firework

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 20:58 · Archive

A 17-year-old from Hartlepool lost his left eye when a firework he tried to relight exploded in his face in November 2024.

Aleks Stasiukiewicz, 17, from Hartlepool, suffered life-changing injuries when a firework exploded in his face in November 2024. He had attended an organised display at a local rugby club before joining friends in a nearby park. When a firework failed to ignite as intended, he attempted to relight it.

'It exploded instantly, knocking me to the floor,' Aleks said. His mother Julie rushed to the scene after receiving a call from one of his friends. 'When I arrived, Aleks was already lying in the ambulance. I had to watch as his eye leaked down the side of his face,' she said.

Aleks was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, where consultants confirmed he had lost his left eye and part of his eyelid. He also suffered minor burns to his arm and leg and broke his front tooth. Specialist oculoplastic surgeons removed firework debris from his eye socket and fitted a ball-shaped prosthesis to allow for realistic movement.

Aleks and his mother are working with University Hospitals Tees to raise awareness of firework safety. 'When people say don't play with fireworks, listen,' Aleks said. 'Fireworks are incredibly dangerous and can cause serious, life-changing injuries.' His mother expressed extreme gratitude for the care he received from NHS staff.

How it is being reported

• Hartlepool teenager's firework warning to others after losing an eye in horror accidentA Hartlepool family is urging people to follow firework safety advice this Bonfire Night after a horrific accident left their teenage son with life-changing injuries.Hartlepool Mail · 29 Oct, 15:49
• Mum's horror as she watched son's eye 'leak down his face' after firework explodedAleks Stasiukiewicz lost his left eye in a firework accident. Now he and his mum are warning others about the dangers.The Northern Echo · 29 Oct, 14:03
• 'His eye leaked down his face': Family's safety plea after firework accident horrorAleks and his mother have praised 'incredible' hospital staff and issued a warning on the dangers of fireworks following the tragic accidentTeessideLive · 29 Oct, 13:50

In this story: Aleks Stasiukiewicz · Julie Stasiukiewicz · Hartlepool · James Cook University Hospital · Middlesbrough · University Hospitals Tees

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