Florida man loses fingers, eyebrows in fireworks fail

Doctors freeze Merritt Island man's fingers in hopes of reattaching

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – A Brevard County man's fingers were blown off Tuesday night in a fireworks mishap, according to his friend.

The accident happened at an apartment complex on Ligustrum Lane near North Courtenay Parkway on Merritt Island.

Ryan Dobard was airlifted to a hospital as a trauma alert patient with a serious injury to his hand, officials said.

According to the friend, the victim's fingers have been frozen at the hospital, where doctors will attempt to reattach them.

"We thought he was playing at first, but his hand was just demolished," Sherome Cosby said.

Cosby said he ran up to a second-story balcony where the firework went off to help his friend.

"I just seen blood just shoot up in the air. It was crazy, right up on the balcony up there," Cosby said.

The victim also lost his eyebrows and his hearing was damaged by the sound of the explosion, the friend said.

Another witness, Benito Cruz, said Dobard modified a firework, which had a short fuse, and it blew up in his hand.

"People were taking mortars and breaking them in half, taking off the shuttles so only the bottom was left and lighting the mortar itself," Cruz said. "My advice for people: Don't modify fireworks, use them safely because you could blow your hand off."

Police and fire departments across Central Florida have issued warnings about the dangers of fireworks.

Watch News 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for updates.

 


About the Authors:

Cathleigh is a newscast producer and has been with News 6 since 2014. She graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in communications, with a focus in broadcast journalism. Cathleigh produces the 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. newscasts.

James joined News 6 in March 2016 as the Brevard County Reporter. His arrival was the realization of a three-year effort to return to the state where his career began. James is from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

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