On a routine Friday evening in San Juan Capistrano, Edther Ocampo, a 10-year-old boy, and his brother Dominic, 11, stumbled upon what they thought was a harmless smoke bomb in an alleyway.
Little did they know, it was an illegal firework waiting to detonate.
Curiosity led them to bring the firework home, where tragedy struck.
After lighting it, the firework exploded in Edther’s hand, causing devastating injuries.
He lost three fingers and sustained severe burns and cuts, along with internal injuries to his abdomen.
Edther is currently battling for recovery in the intensive care unit at UC Irvine Medical Center.
His older brother Dominic, though injured, did not require hospitalization.
Cynthia Garcia Huertas, Edther’s mother, expressed profound sadness over her son’s pain and injuries.
She shared, “As a mom, I don’t want to see him in any pain.
It breaks my heart, really, to see him.”
Immediate Response
The explosion was heard by a neighbor who rushed out to find both boys injured.
Quick action led to their transport to the hospital, where medical teams fought to save Edther’s hand, unfortunately losing the battle due to extensive nerve damage.
Authorities identified the object as an unused aerial shell, a hazardous explosive found in illegal fireworks.
They emphasized the dangers of such devices, which can cause severe harm due to their volatile nature.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department urged the community to report any suspicious items resembling illegal fireworks promptly to ensure safe handling and disposal by experts.
Support and Recovery
In response to the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to aid Edther’s recovery.
His aunt, Alondra Leyva Herrera, highlighted the young boy’s sunny disposition and requested continued prayers and financial support during his long road to recovery.
Edther’s father, a painter, and Cynthia, a medical assistant, have devoted themselves to caring for their son during this difficult time.
Their plea for support has resonated, with donations pouring in to assist with medical expenses.
Conclusion
Despite the pain and challenges ahead, the community’s outpouring of support offers a ray of hope for Edther and his family as they navigate through this heartbreaking ordeal.
TDPel Media
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