A Hartlepool family is urging people to follow firework safety advice this Bonfire Night after a horrific accident left their teenage son with life-changing injuries.

Seventeen-year-old Aleks Stasiukiewicz lost his left eye when he tried to relight a firework two years ago.

He and his mum have joined forces with hospital chiefs to raise awareness of firework safety and to thank the NHS teams who helped him recover.

Aleks said: “I remember someone lighting a firework, but it didn't go off as intended so I went over to relight it. It exploded instantly, knocking me to the floor.”

Aleks is warning others about the dangers of fireworks after his accident in 2024.

placeholder image — Aleks is warning others about the dangers of fireworks after his accident in 2024.

His mum Julie rushed to the scene, after receiving the devastating news. She said: “Aleks had left the house earlier in the evening to go to an organised firework display.

“Just hours later, I received a call from his friend telling me he'd been hit in the face with a firework. I thought he was joking, but he wasn't.

“When I arrived, Aleks was already lying in the ambulance, I didn't take my eyes off him, I was devastated.

“I had to watch as his eye leaked down the side of his face.”

Aleks was rushed to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where consultants confirmed he had lost his left eye and part of his eyelid.

He also suffered minor burns to his arm and leg and broken his front tooth.

Thanks to surgery which he underwent the next day he still has movement in his eye socket.

Julie added: “The hospital was incredible and I cannot thank them enough for all they have done to give Aleks some normality, in what can only be described as a tragic incident.”

Issuing a warning to others, Aleks said: “When people say don't play with fireworks, listen. I know it can be tempting to break the rules and have a bit of fun but fireworks are incredibly dangerous.

“They are not something you should mess around with as they can cause serious, life-changing injuries.”

Consultant oculoplastic and orbital surgeon, Gar-Yun Wong, who worked closely with Aleks throughout his recovery, added: “Accidents can happen in an instant and can result in life-changing eye injuries or even permanent sight loss.

“We strongly encourage people to attend organised firework displays and never return to or handle a lit firework.”