OC Boy Loses Hand After Firework Explodes: How To Help

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — A Laguna Hills family sought the public's help this week after two young boys were injured on July 4.

10-year-old Edther and 11-year-old Dominic Ocampo were walking to their grandmother's house after soccer practice in San Juan Capistrano when they found what they thought was a firework.

What the boys actually picked up was an unused aerial shell, an explosive that is most commonly used to launch skyrockets into the air.

The unused shell exploded in Edther's hand when the boys tried to light it. The 10-year-old now has severe burns all over his body, and the explosion took off most of his left hand and burst his eardrums.

“All I remember is recalling Fourth of July, just him dancing, celebrating full of life,” mother Cynthia Garcia told NBC Los Angeles. “Next thing you know you’re getting a phone call you don’t expect and having to go to the ambulance.”

According to a GoFundMe set up to help support the family, the boys were rushed to UC Irvine hospital and Edther has undergone multiple surgeries.

"Their mom is not able to work while she is with them in the hospital," the GoFundMe read. "She will need lots of help to pay his bills at home, for therapy, and for rehabilitation."

Residents can help the Orange County family by donating directly to the family's GoFundMe account.