Fireworks Explode In Man's Face, Cause Loss Of Eye, Trauma

WAUKEGAN, IL — A man was badly injured in a backyard fireworks accident Saturday night in Waukegan, WLS reported.

The man, who is in his 20s, was trying to light fireworks, but when they did not go off, he went to check on them just as they exploded in his face, Carman Benson, the man's grandmother, told the news outlet.

Benson said her grandson's injuries were so bad that he had to be airlifted to the hospital, according to WLS. She told WGN that he had lost an eye and had other severe injuries.

The man suffered "severe traumatic injuries to his face," the Waukegan Fire Department said in a statement on Sunday, as a result of an accident with a mortar type of firework.

Fire Marshal Todd Zupec said “everyone needs to be extremely careful when using legal fireworks and fireworks not approved for consumers should never be used in the city of Waukegan.”

The man was flown to Lutheran General Hospital after paramedics originally took him to Vista East Medical Center, fire officials said.

"His face is almost gone," Benson told WLS. "It doesn't make sense. Why do they sell this kind of stuff for these people to buy, and light fireworks for the kids?"

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