Man Blows Hand Off In New Year's Eve Fireworks Accident

OAK LAWN, IL —A man in his twenties blew his hand off in a fireworks accident on New Year’s Eve, according to Oak Lawn fire and EMS officials.

Around 6:30 p.m. Dec. 31, the Oak Lawn Fire Department responded to an accident in an alley on Ridgeland Avenue. At the scene, firefighters discovered a man whose hand had become detached apparently from lighting illegal fireworks.

“It was pretty devastating,” Oak Lawn Fire Chief Mike Mavrogeorge said. “His hand and wrist were completely destroyed.”

In addition to hand and arm injuries, Mavrogeorge said the man also suffered blast and burn injuries to his chest and face. The man was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in serious conditions.

“Injuries like this are life changing and completely preventable,” Mavrogeorge said. “I cannot stress the danger that illegal fireworks pose enough. No one thinks it will happen to them.”

Fireworks are illegal in the state of Illinois, except for novelty items, such as sparklers and snakes.

Information has been updated with the correct time of accident.