Schoolboy from Paisley lost four fingers and part of palm after firework exploded in hand

A schoolboy who picked up a firework and lost four fingers is encouraging other children to “think before hurting yourself” ahead of Bonfire Night.

Riley Luke, from Paisley, suffered the life-changing injury on November 7, 2022, when he and his friends found a firework while out playing.

The pyrotechnic stuck to the 12-year-old’s hand after it was lit, exploding within seconds before he could remove it.

His dad, Scott, said he remembered seeing his son and “part of his hand wasn’t there”.

“They had been trying to light the firework and had passed it around each other trying to light it”, he said. Eventually, Riley was holding it and when it lit, it stuck to his hand.

“He was trying to get it off his hand, and then within seconds it exploded, which resulted in losing four of his fingers and a good part of his palm.

“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 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 underwent 14 hours of surgery.

He then spent around two weeks in an induced coma in intensive care, with his hand stitched to his groin to help restore blood flow.

The 12-year-old was eventually released from hospital just a few days before Christmas.

Riley was eventually released from hospital Supplied

Riley has described the challenges he now faces as he adapts to life without four fingers.

Four years on, he still finds everyday tasks such as tying his shoelaces and fastening buttons difficult.

“I had to learn to write with my left hand,” he said. “I needed help getting ready, I needed help cutting my food.

“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.”

Riley is now urging others to think carefully about the dangers of fireworks ahead of Halloween and Bonfire Night.

“Just think before you do it,” he said. “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.”

But despite the impact of his injuries, Scott says Riley has refused to let them stop him from enjoying childhood.

He said: “He’s head strong, he doesn’t hold back. He still goes and plays on the scooters, bikes, just anything that a wee boy does – he does too. It’s just a wee bit challenging.”

Riley has had to adapt to life with his injuries SFRS via Supplied

Riley’s story comes as the public is urged to take care around fireworks and bonfires around this time of year.

Last November 5, a total of 751 calls were made to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) between 3.30pm and midnight, while firefighters attended more than 250 bonfires.

Police launched Operation Moonbeam 2026 last Wednesday, enabling specially trained officers to tackle firework-related violence and disorder across Halloween and Bonfire Night.

The force said it would be the largest officer deployment since US President Donald Trump visited Aberdeenshire in 2025.

Deputy assistant chief officer Ian McMeekin, head of prevention at SFRS, said Riley’s experience showed how “incredibly dangerous” fireworks can be.

He 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. If you’re planning on hosting a private event involving fireworks, consider the risks and always follow the Firework Code to keep everyone safe.

“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.”