Stray fireworks bring Scouts display to a halt in Formby tonight
UPDATE:
Display called off after three girls receive minor injuries
Three teenage girls were injured after a firework flew into the crowd at a Formby Village display.
The Bonfire Night celebrations in Lonsdale Road ended in chaos as people scattered and left the area.
Onlookers said the trouble started more than half an hour into the display. One witness said: “Everything was going fine, then suddenly a firework shot just a few feet over the heads of the crowd and hit a parked car some way behind them.
“That shocked everyone but then another one landed right in the middle of a crowd of children.
“I saw a young girl being patted down as if she had been covered with sparks and then being taken away by who I think were St John’s Ambulance.
“I think it was just rockets going off at the wrong angle - but it brought the display to a sudden end. Everyone just left.”
However on Twitter other people blamed yobs for throwing the fireworks.
One post said ‘can’t believe people throw fireworks at children in Formby. Shocked and disgusted’
However, Merseyside Police tonight said that they believed a faulty firework was to blame.
A spokeswoman said: “Merseyside Police can confirm that officers attended Lonsdale Road, Formby at around 7.40pm this evening
“Organisers of a fireworks display cancelled the remainder of the event, after a firework, thought to be faulty, misfired into the crowd.
“Three teenage girls were described as receiving minor injuries that were treated on site by medics.
“Officers have since taken the remaining fireworks from the site to a secure location, where they will be collected by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.”
Organisers, believed to be from a local Scours group, were still at the scene later this evening clearing up. One said: “I don’t know exactly what happened but there were a couple of minor injuries. It came towards the end of the display.”
Original story at 9pm....
There was an accident at the 1st Formby Fireworks display tonight.
Stray fireworks shot off in different directions. On-looker, Daniel Grondin said "About 10 minutes in, fireworks suddenly started going off everywhere, people ran away screaming and the police were running in."
The team acted quickly and pulled the show, even though it was safe to continue, it was thought better safe than sorry.
Ry O'Neill said "It was tragic with people running for cover because the fireworks were going into the crowd and into the street and knocked some woman out. All the kids were crying and everyone was trying to escape!! My 6 year old niece said she never wants to see fireworks again!"
The crowds left dissappointed but, nobody was seriously hurt.
The Police were in attendance along with St. John's Ambulance.
