East Kingston's Off-Duty EMT Helps After Serious Fireworks Injury

EAST KINGSTON, NH — East Kingston Fire Department EMT Alex Head was off-duty celebrating the Fourth of July in South Hampton last week when a man had a serious fireworks accident. In addition to severely injured fingers and severed thumb, he had a significant eye injury and facial lacerations, according to East Kingston fire officials. She did not hesitate to help, providing life-saving measures.

The incident occurred around 10:12 p.m. Thursday in South Hampton at the Tuxbury Pond RV Resord. Head happened to be on scene by coincidence. According to the East Kingston Fire Department, Head took charge of the situation, initiating care and organizing the scene. Her efforts dramatically sped up the delivery of the necessary medical aid, East Kingston fire officials say.

The man's thumb was successfully re-attached, according to the East Kingston Fire Department.

"Each Fourth of July, fire departments can only wait for the inevitable report that someone's been critically injured by a fireworks-related incident," Said East Kingston Fire Chief Ed Warren, who commended Head on Monday. "In this case, Alex happened to be in the right place at the right time to provide essential aid to a patient in need. While the circumstances are unfortunate, the patient received excellent care and I want to commend Alex for her professionalism and quick actions."

Rescue agencies from South Hampton, Newton and Amesbury responded to Thursday's incident. The patient was transported to the Portsmouth hospital by the South Hampton Fire Department with assistance from Amesbury fire officials. His thumb was successfully reattached in Portsmouth, and he was then transferred to the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary for further treatment, East Kingston fire officials say.