A Paisley boy who lost four of his fingers in a firework accident is sharing his story ahead of Bonfire Night, in the hope that no other child goes through what he did.
Riley Luke, now 12, was just eight when it happened on 7 November 2022. He was out with friends near where the family were staying, and the group had been passing a firework around trying to light it.
His dad, Scott Luke, said: "Eventually, Riley was holding it and when it lit, it stuck to his hand. He was trying to get it off his hand and then within seconds it exploded, which resulted in losing four of his fingers and a good part of his palm."
Scott found out something was wrong when he phoned Riley to come home for his dinner and a man answered instead. Riley was two streets away. "His thumb was blasted back to his wrist, part of his hand wasn't there and he had fingers missing," he said.
Fourteen hours of surgery
Riley was taken by ambulance to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, where he had 14 hours of surgery and spent around two weeks in a medically induced coma. Part of his treatment involved stitching his hand to his groin to restore the blood supply. He was allowed home just days before Christmas.
He then had to relearn everyday tasks. "I had to learn to write with my left hand," he said. "I needed help getting ready, I needed help cutting my food. I had to get my teacher to help me write." Colouring in with pencils in hospital helped him build his strength back up.
Four years on, things like tying shoelaces and doing up buttons are still hard, but his dad says nothing holds him back. "He's headstrong," Scott said. "He still goes and plays on the scooters, bikes, just anything that a wee boy does, he does too. It's just a wee bit challenging."
"Just think before you do it"
Riley's message to other young people is simple. "Just think before you do it," he said. "Let your parents do it instead of you so you don't lose any of your fingers, hurt yourself, end up in hospital or lose an eye."
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is backing his warning. On 5 November last year, it took 751 calls between 3.30pm and midnight, and crews went to more than 250 bonfires across Scotland.
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Ian McMeekin, the service's head of prevention, said: "Riley's experience is a stark reminder of the devastating injuries fireworks can cause. Fireworks are explosives and are incredibly dangerous if they've not been handled safely by an adult. If you're planning on hosting a private event involving fireworks, consider the risks and always follow the Firework Code to keep everyone safe."
He added that the service's community action teams have been visiting schools to make sure pupils understand the dangers of bonfires and fireworks.
The safest way to enjoy fireworks is at an organised public display. If you are using them at home, keep them away from children, never go back to a lit firework, and keep a bucket of water nearby.