Fireworks manufacturer accused of injuring teenager through negligence
A licensed fireworks manufacturer, Manuel Farrugia, 68 of Lija, was charged in court today with having caused grievous injuries to a teenager through negligence during the ground fireworks festival held in Floriana in April last year.
Mr Farrugia had been licensed to let off fireworks for St Michael Fireworks factory, which was taking part in the festival.
Police Constable Carmel Debattista told the court that he had seen something come off one of the ground fireworks structures and fly into the crowd. He then saw 13-year-old Kurt Connor shouting in pain and holding his face in his hands. An ambulance was called and he was rushed to hospital.
The boy had suffered grievous injury to one of his eyes, including a tear on a cornea caused by burns, inflammation of the retina and a cut under the eye lid, the court was told.
Kenneth Brincat, representing Floriana local council, which organised the event, said that the festival was held under the relative police permits, and the conditions of that permit had been observed, with the crowd having been kept behind barriers some distance away from the fireworks.
Mr Farrugia is pleading not guilty. The case continues.
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Ernest Vella
Jul 27th 2010, 09:32
Dan ifisser li d-distanza ta sigurta ma kinietx bizzejjed!!! Taf x'naf irridu t-turisti, nirriklamaw il-piroteknika, imbaghad nghidu kontra min jaghmel dan ix-xoghol. Ara vera poplu laqi. Min ma jridx iwegga ma jmurx jara n-nar...jiena noqghod il-boghod u qatt ma kont f'periklu jew weggajt.
Jididspjacini ghal dan it-tifel imma nghiduha kif inhi, hafna huma dawk il-pruzuntuzi li jersqu lejn in-nar imbaghad joqghodu jilmentaw ghax setghu iwegghu.
Karl Consiglio
Jul 27th 2010, 01:12
Those who gave him the permit are just as guilty for we all know that who plays with fire gets burnt and is a threat to others Tradizzjoni? So what? Tradizzjoni hazina.
C Barbara
Jul 26th 2010, 14:39
@ Mr. Coppini
1- What does the Balluta fireworks have to do with this case mentioned?
2- Since when have boat people acquired title on the Balluta Bay such as not to let other people use it for their purpose? Aren't boats polluting as well - and all year round? What do we do now - sink them all?
3- I would suggest to use appropriate language, show respect and just make your point. You are not SMARTER and more NORMAL than other people, whatever they like to do and don't.
nicholas coppini
Jul 26th 2010, 15:11
Dear Mr Barbara,
My apologies if I hurt you or anybody who loves mortar bombs; otherwise referred to as fireworks.
Never mind boat people. I am happy to see larger swimming areas keeping poluting boats further away. All good. Debris from fireworks is dangerous and may cause fires or indeed bodily harm to people in the vicinity as we see so well year in year out, victim in victim out. Indeed harder language due to the danger that forever goes unnoticed not to mention the unbearable noise. This area of our heritage or culture is of course very shoddily regulated as
we still read about casualties and factories blowing up. Its very sad. Last year the barge blew up while i was swimming at exiles. Luckily the "dilettanti" did not get hurt. What can i say; MAD. Simply MAD.
Anyway it seemed that I am attacking your hobby. Terribly sorry sir. We will soon have san girgor and st julians feasts to contend with. more boom booms :) more noise less rest.
Typical case of one man's bread is another man's poison. Enjoy the festa season Mr Barbara.
nicholas coppini
Jul 26th 2010, 14:01
Will we ever learn!? how many more dozens of people will be left to burn and/or blow up due to neglegance. Tal Karmnu feast is over thank god; a week of massive mortar bombs right in the middle of exiles bay. brilliant! All the hot debris flying with the wind onto land or boats. The same people who are allowed to do this then contract a tug to pull the barge away and they did that only for the single tow line to snap this morning off tower road. No control, no regulation, no respect for health and safety. Will we ever learn. Mortar bombs "murtali' should be banned. Land fireworks should be far away from crowds not in the middle of the road near BOV in Manoel Dimech str. For crying out loud are we really as dim as that. Miskin wegga! ara naqra! pathetic. Fireworks OUT OF OUR BAYS PLEASE / AWAY FROM NORMAL SMARTER PEOPLE AND BOATS.
Etienne Camilleri
Jul 26th 2010, 14:26
the one who calls himself "smarter" is always the least smart ... you can always stay home if you don't like to get injured, regulations by law are observed so it's useless to complain. Tal-Karmnu feast was great success, I enjoyed the fireworks shows :) keep up the good work
A. Zahra
Jul 26th 2010, 16:15
@ etienne camilleri
Had you been on Tower Road or having a drink in Independence Garden you would have risked being burnt by the murtali debris which rained down upon us, who were there. You would really have enjoyed yourself then. Remember last year a tragedy was just avoided when the fireworks on the barge exploded.
b.Chetcuti
Jul 27th 2010, 12:10
dont go there another time if burned paper were falling their.. orr go with a net in the middle in the air and collect it from falling on the ground ... if you dont like fireworks stay home or go where there is no fireworkss
Ramon Casha
Jul 26th 2010, 13:51
"...said that the festival was held under the relative police permits, and the conditions of that permit had been observed..."
Being in possession of a permit and observing its conditions does not exonerate one from responsibility. I am in possession of a valid driving license, but if I injure someone while driving (even while observing regulations) and it's my fault, I would still be responsible.