IT WAS meant to be a fun family celebration, but it turned into every parent's worst nightmare.
Natalie Ridings and her husband had decided to treat their two sons to a private firework display at their home in Bolton on Bonfire Night in 2022.
As their father lit the fuse, the two boys watched on expectantly from their mother's side.
Moments later, rockets began flying in every direction. Ms Ms Ridings screamed for the family to run but it was too late. A rogue firework struck her eldest son then exploded.
"My husband lit the firework and as he walked away, I realised something was wrong," Ms Ridings said.
"It started firing out through the sides instead of straight up and I screamed at my family to run.
"It was one of the big 15-shooter boxes you can buy from supermarkets so the fireworks exiting it were sizeable.
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Denne historien er fra November 02, 2024-utgaven av Manchester Evening News.
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