Fireworks Injury Prompts GoFundMe Drive

Manhattan, IL. — An accident involving fireworks over the Fourth of July has left a 23-year-old Manhattan man with serious injuries, and his family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the medical costs.

Brendan Boss — who works at Frankfort-based Hamstra Roofing and who grew up in Tinley Park, where his parents still live — was hit in the face by a firework, causing multiple injuries to his face, including his nose, cheeks, eye sockets and varying degrees of burns, according to the GoFundMe page.

The family is seeking financial assistance to "be able to relieve some of this financial burden for him so that he can focus solely on physical and mental recovery from the trauma," according to the page.

Boss is scheduled to have his first surgery July 7, according to his sister Kayla Boss, who organized the GoFundMe page. She said Brendan is in good spirits and doctors are optimistic about the recovery from the initial injuries.

"Please continue to pray that all goes well - that the surgeons have steady hands, that there are no side effects on his eye as a result of the surgery, and that he's able to recover quickly and fully," Kayla wrote on the GoFundMe page.

As of the time of this report, the GoFundMe account has raised $6,205 out of a $10,000 goal.

To donate, or for more information, visit the GoFundMe page.