EXCLUSIVE
By Vicki Robinson
Health Reporter
A TEENAGER who suffered horrific injuries while fooling around with fireworks today begged others to learn from his mistake.
Daniel Wigglesworth lost a finger, shattered his thumb and burnt the skin from most of his right hand after a banger went off as he lit it.
The 18-year-old underwent three gruelling operations in an effort to try to rebuild his hand and was on the road to recovery.
But in a further blow he has just been told he has the superbug MRSA, which can lead to a life-threatening infection.
He said: "I'm gutted. I just feel really annoyed at myself for messing around with it in the first place. At least, though, I can show people what happens if you play with fireworks."
Daniel, a student, was injured while playing with the explosive near his house in Little London, Leeds, last month.
When it exploded in his hand, it blasted off his index finger, shattered his thumb, and ripped the skin from his palm, wrist and other fingers.
He was rushed into surgery at St James's Hospital, where doctors battled to save his thumb by inserting metal pins. The finger could not be saved because the blast damage made reattachment impossible.
He had two more operations, one to repair a damaged blood vessel and to carry out a skin graft and another to mend a severed artery. He also had a transfusion of three pints of blood.
His thumb now appears to be working again, although it will be months before his hand heals.
And during a routine dressing change this week, Daniel was told he had tested positive for MRSA. At the moment he is only carrying the bacteria, but it is feared that could lead to a potentially-deadly infection.
His sister Sayra, 27, told the YEP: "We're really worried for him. We just want it to get better so Daniel can carry on with his life.
"He's not blaming anyone but himself. But it's awful that one mistake has left his hand ruined for life. We just want kids to look at Daniel so they don't make the same mistake."
Daniel fears the accident may have wrecked his dreams of being a mechanic as he will be unable to fully use his right hand for months.
He is in the second year of a course at Leeds College of Technology.
A spokesman for St James's Hospital accident and emergency department said: "This is an example of the tragic consequences of playing with fireworks.
"And sadly we see far too many incidents like this at this time of year. We would encourage anyone thinking of using fireworks incorrectly to think about the damage they can do.
"Meanwhile, we'd like to wish Daniel all the best in his recovery."
One in four people carry the MRSA bacteria without any ill effects, say hospital bosses.
At the moment Daniel's condition is not being affected by the bug.
l A car containing a family and their baby burst into flames on a motorway after a firework was thought to have been placed in the engine.
Malicious
The family were driving on the M621 in their Ford Focus when they noticed sparks coming out from under the bonnet. They pulled onto the hard shoulder and managed to get themselves and their small baby out before the fire took hold.
Firefighters from Morley were called out at 6.42am today and when they arrived the car was well alight. The firework was thought to have been put inside the engine and when it heated up, caught fire.
The vehicle was badly damaged, especially the ignition compartment and dashboard.
No-one was injured.
Police were also called to the scene and a spokeswoman said they were looking into the cause: "We are investigating the possible malicious ignition of the vehicle," she said.
vicki.robinson
@ypn.co.uk