Two 18-year-old men were injured by fireworks on Scarborough beach on Bonfire Night, prompting a large emergency response including an air ambulance. North Yorkshire Police said one suffered injuries to his face and the other to his hand, and both were believed to have been holding the fireworks when they exploded.
The incident occurred at around 7.15pm on 5 November on the foreshore. The beach was temporarily cleared to allow the air ambulance to land, but the casualties were ultimately taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough by land ambulance. The beach was later reopened.
It is understood the display was unauthorised. Witnesses described gridlocked roads hindering emergency vehicles, with one saying the area was 'like a warzone'. The Yorkshire Ambulance Service confirmed two patients were conveyed to hospital following an emergency call at 7.13pm.
A video circulating on social media appeared to show a person walking with a lit firework before it flared and exploded. The town's main Facebook community page, Scarborough Moan, reported that children had been 'seriously injured' and disabled comments to prevent speculation.
Police are now appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or has footage to come forward. Enquiries are ongoing, and authorities have stressed the dangers of unsupervised firework use.
