Wheelchair-bound man on Kings Avenue almost killed in explosions

Wheelchair-bound man on Kings Avenue almost killed in explosions

On the evening of Sunday 29th October 2006, at precisely 7:15pm GMT, Myself, my mother, and my wheelchair-bound father, were walking back home along Kings Avenue, Brigg. As we got closer to Kings Avenue, we saw that fireworks were being lit in the Kings Avenue/Bigby High Road Playing area. As we got closer, it looked like the fireworks were being targeted at peoples property. As we got closer, a firework shot straight passed us, and passed my wheelchair-bound father by about two meters - before exploding in somebody's driveway, next to a parked car. We then quickly hurried up back home, quite shocked and shaken - as the firework could have easily hit us. As we began to walk again, we saw approximately 20 youths in the playing area, and heard one of them shout "sorry". We did not respond - we continued to briskly walk back home, what we didn't realize is, we was about to risk our life by walking on Kings Avenue. As we got close to home, one of the youths lighted a firework, and then through it over the perimeter fence of the playing area - aiming it so it landed in my fathers wheelchair. It missed, and ended up less than a meter away from us on the street. I had a split second to tip my dad out of his wheelchair, so he wasn't sitting directly in front of the firework. Then, there was an almighty bang, and I could feel a gush of heat rushing up my leg - burning the back of my ankle, and I saw my mother get thrown against a stone wall, and bang her head. It was horrific. After checking to see if my family was still alive, and not fatally injured, I could here the youths who were responsible laughing at us, and finding it amusing. This comes just days after I published a report - warning people about the hazards of fireworks, and how to stay safe.
On the left is an image of the playing area where the incident took place. I am just grateful that my family got through such a terrible incident - but some people might not be as lucky. Some people may be seriously burned, permanently blinded, or even killed. As lots of people have done, we have now locked our letterbox at night to prevent fireworks being posted through the letterbox.

We are not going to accuse or speculate, but we believe that this attack was carried out by the same group of youths who have driven their car on the footpaths to try and run over my father when he uses his walking-sticks. The group have also tried to steal my fathers electric mobility scooter, which he heavily depends upon. These youths are sick and have a very corrupt and twisted mind, to do such a thing to a physically disabled man who is unable to defend himself. These youths will not get away with the crimes they have committed.

By James Martin

Dated: 29th October 2006

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