Dodgers fan loses two fingers in World Series fireworks accident
The Dodgers’ World Series championship proved quite costly for this fan.
Kevin King lost two fingers in a horrific accident after he let off fireworks last week in downtown Los Angeles while celebrating the Dodgers’ triumph over the Yankees.
He is set for his third surgery, according to Fox 11 in Los Angeles.
“He’s basically missing his pointing finger, his middle finger, the meat portion between the pointing finger and the thumb area, all of this here has exploded off,” Kevin King Sr. told Fox 11.
“He did have some hearing issues in both of his ears. He has fragment just like scarring and some scabs and stuff on his face from the explosion.”
King’s attempt to celebrate the Dodgers’ second championship in five years turned into a horrible nightmare when a firework exploded in his hands while he stood in the street.
The 25-year-old then stumbled away while blood dripped off his hand.
One spectator yelled, “His hand blew,” while another walked by and said, “I know it did. Oh, my goodness, bro.”
King appeared disoriented for a few seconds while holding his hand, with blood smearing his white Dodgers jersey.
First responders arrived around 2:30 a.m. and found King conscious and alert, per TMZ, before applying tourniquets to both arms and transporting him to a hospital.
Surgeons told King’s father they could not believe he avoided worse damage.
“Just watching the video alone, they don’t understand how he was able to walk away with the injuries that he has,” King Sr. told Fox 11. “He protected 98 percent of his face from the explosion.”
King is in a hospital in Irvine and Fox 11 reported that they’re unsure if he’ll return to his oil drilling job.
His father said his son is trying to move forward mentally after the harrowing experience.
“Obviously, he made a pretty bad mistake deciding to light a firework, not knowing where it came from and then at the same time it’s like he’s already like, ‘What can I do to make this positive, pops?'” King Sr. said.
“They’re weapons. It’s dangerous. They’re not toys. I will never light a firework again after watching that.”
