11 injured as firework hits crowd at display

Two children and an adult remain in hospital today after a firework “went astray” into a crowd watching a Bonfire Night display in England.

A Kettering General Hospital duty manager said today that 11 casualties, at least five of them children, had been admitted with injuries from the event at Wicksteed Park, Kettering.

He said: “We admitted 11 casualties, at least five of them children. We are looking to keep three in overnight, two of which are children.”

He added that one of the children could be transferred to a specialist burns unit.

Northamptonshire Police confirmed that the incident happened at 8.22pm yesterday, just seven minutes into the organised display, which was attended by 15,000 people.

A force spokesman said: “A firework went astray into the crowd, resulting in a number of people being injured.”

The Health and Safety Executive have been informed of the incident and police are gathering evidence to support the HSE’s inquiry.

The police spokesman added last night: “The fireworks display was a private event put on by Kimbolton Fireworks for the public at Wicksteed Park. The park estimates that about 15,000 people were in attendance this evening.”

John Roberts, managing director of Wicksteed, a 147-acre leisure park which attracts more than a million visitors each year, offered his sympathy to those who had been hurt.

He said: “We are all shocked at this incident and our thoughts are with those who have been injured.

“We will be working closely with the Health and Safety Executive and the police to assist with their inquiries.”

A police spokesman said: “The majority of the injuries are believed to be minor injuries, but one is a serious injury to a boy who is aged 10 or 11.

“He may have to be transferred from Kettering General Hospital to a specialist burns unit.”

A spokesman for the Two Shires Ambulance Trust, which covers Northants and Buckinghamshire, said seven ambulances were sent to the park.