Boy, 12, who lost fingers in horror incident after Bonfire Night issues urgent firework warning
A young boy who lost fingers in a horror incident involving a firework has issued a fresh warning ahead of this Bonfire Night.
Riley Luke, from Paisley in Renfrewshire, was just eight years old when he lost four fingers and part of his hand in the incident on November 7 2022.
He suffered 'devastating' injuries after a firework exploded and went off in his hand. He and his friends found it and passed it between one another as they tried to light it.
It then 'stuck to his hand' and exploded 'within seconds', causing him to lose fingers and part of his palm too.
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His father Scott Luke said he had called Riley to come home for dinner when a man answered his phone and told him something had happened.
"He was two streets away from where we were staying and he was holding the guy’s hand who had been on the phone," his dad said.
"His thumb was blasted back to his wrist, part of his hand wasn’t there and he had fingers missing.”
Riley was rushed to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow where he was in major surgery for 14 hours. He then spent around two weeks in an induced coma in intensive care with his hand stitched to his groin to restore blood flow.
Now aged 12, Riley recalled the first few weeks out of hospital after losing his fingers and has issued a plea to others through the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“I had to learn to write with my left hand. I needed help getting ready, I needed help cutting my food,” he explained.
“I had to get my teacher to help me write. I thought about writing with my left hand one day and then I just got, like, better and better at it.
“I was colouring in with pencils in the hospital and that was building my hand strength up.”
Four years on he still finds tasks like tying shoelaces and fastening buttons challenging.
And ahead of Bonfire Night, Riley has warned others to be careful around fireworks. “Just think before you do it,” he explained.
“Let your parents do it instead of you so you don’t lose any of your fingers, hurt yourself, end up in hospital or lose an eye.”
On Bonfire Night last year the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) received a total of 751 calls between 3.30pm and midnight, and fire crews attended more than 250 bonfires.
Deputy assistant chief officer Ian McMeekin, who is head of prevention at SFRS, said: “Riley’s experience is a stark reminder of the devastating injuries fireworks can cause.
“Fireworks are explosives and are incredibly dangerous if they’ve not been handled safely by an adult. We want to prevent fires, accidents and injuries from occurring in the first place.
“Our community action teams across Scotland have been engaging with local schools to ensure pupils are aware of the dangers that bonfires and fireworks pose, and they will continue working with our partners to promote safety messaging.”
NHS warns of life-changing injuries
Meanwhile, the NHS is also warning of the risk of injury as admissions to hospital with firework-related burns and injuries next jumped 42 per cent last November.
There were 85 firework-related hospital admissions in England in November 2025, up from 60 in November the year before.
And across the whole of 2025, admissions reached 161, compared with 120 the previous year – a rise of 34 percent.
The NHS is urging people to come forward for care immediately if they are injured by a firework. The NHS website has advice on burns, first aid and where to seek help if someone is injured.
Professor Frankie Swords, NHS medical director, said: “Bonfire Night is a great opportunity to be with friends and family, but this data is a timely reminder of the danger fireworks can pose – and it’s children that often end up paying a devastating price.
“Some have suffered life-changing injuries, turning what should be a night of fun into a nightmare.
“So it’s vital you keep a close eye on children and loved ones to help prevent accidents like this, and know the NHS is available 24/7 if you need us.
“Call 999 in an emergency, and the NHS website also offers information on the prevention and treatment of burns, as well as first aid measures, for anyone who needs it.”
James Holt
