Drive-by firework attack horror
8:50am Thursday 4th November 2010 in News
Drive-by firework attack horror
A MOTHER was seriously injured when yobs hurled a firework at her from a passing car.
Beverley Cowburn says her face would have been blown off if she had not moved her hand to protect herself. But the 42- year-old still faces losing the use of some of the fingers on her badly damaged hand after the attack in Clough Avenue, Westhoughton.
Mrs Cowburn of Townsfield Avenue, Westhoughton, said: “They obviously thought it was a bit of fun but what they did was sick. The consequences could have been so much worse — I could have had my face blown off by their stupidity.
“They were driving a car so they were obviously old enough to know what they were doing.
“I hope they are caught.
They will do it again and who is to say that next time someone won’t be hurt even worse than I was?”
The blast left her right hand badly burnt and blew chunks of flesh off it, leaving a hole in one finger. She has to return to hospital to have it redressed every two days and right-handed Mrs Cowburn has not been able to work.
The charity shop assistant manager, who has three sons aged three, 14 and 20 added: “If one of my kids had done this, I would want them sent to prison.”
Mrs Cowburn was with a friend when the yobs drove past and threw a firework at them.
It landed on the ground, startling Mrs Cowburn, who fell over.
Seconds later, the car drove past again and a second lit firework was thrown at them.
Mrs Cowburn said: “It landed right next to my face and as I tried to move it, it exploded in my hand.
I thought if I didn’t move it, my face would be blown up.
“I wrapped my hand in my white jacket but by the time I got home, which is only a street away, it was soaked in blood and you could not tell what colour it was. I have never seen so much blood in my life.
“I keep having flashbacks to it and keep remembering what happened.
“I can’t believe someone could do something so stupid. They obviously thought this was a bit of fun.
“But what they were doing was very dangerous and they must have intended to hurt people.”
Mrs Cowburn, who works as an assistant manager at a Shelter charity shop, has been told by doctors she might not regain the feeling in two of her fingers.
The incident happened shortly after 11.30pm on Friday. Mrs Cowburn had been out with friends in Market Street, Westhoughton.
The car was a dark colour, possibly black, and Mrs Cowburn believes it had tinted windows.
Mrs Cowburn, who is married to John, added: “I want to appeal to anyone who has any information to contact the police because these people need to be stopped and locked up before they hurt anyone else.“ Paul Etches, station manager for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service, said: “It is extremely dangerous to throw fireworks, they are basically explosives.
“We have had people seriously injured in the past, like this woman, and it could have been even worse for her.
“You should never throw fireworks. People need to be aware of how dangerous they are.”
Police are investigating and anyone with information should call 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
