A 38-year-old father from Kampung Seberang Takir expressed profound gratitude after narrowly preventing a stray firework from hitting his 18-month-old infant. Rashidi Ihshak recounted the harrowing ordeal which occurred last Friday night as he was driving home with his family following breaking of fast and prayers near the iconic Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge. The incident happened at approximately 9 pm when a firework spark suddenly flew through his open car window, striking his left hand before ricocheting and exploding against the windscreen.
Rashidi explained that his infant was being held by his wife in the front passenger seat at the time of the explosion. He believes that had the firework not struck his hand first, it would have impacted his child’s face directly. Despite suffering minor injuries to his left hand, he remains thankful that his quick reflex shielded his youngest child from potentially life-altering injuries. The impact of the subsequent explosion was powerful enough to shatter the vehicle’s front windscreen, causing significant damage.
The father of four immediately halted the vehicle to check on the safety of his other three children, aged four, eight, and nine, who were seated in the rear. While the physical damage to the car has yet to be fully appraised due to the festive public holidays, Rashidi expressed deep regret over the reckless behaviour of individuals using public roadsides as makeshift launchpads for pyrotechnics. He noted that the area near the Drawbridge was crowded with people celebrating the eve of Aidilfitri, making it impossible to identify the specific individual responsible.
Following the shock of the incident, Rashidi urged the public to be more vigilant and sensitive to their surroundings when lighting fireworks in communal spaces. He emphasised that the trajectory of sparks and reflections from fireworks is notoriously difficult to control once ignited, posing a severe threat to passing motorists and pedestrians. He pointed out that while such activities are meant for entertainment, they should never be conducted at the expense of public safety or human life.
Although Rashidi does not intend to file a formal police report regarding the matter, he hopes his story serves as a stern warning to others. He appealed to enthusiasts to choose safer, isolated locations for their celebrations rather than busy thoroughfares. By sharing his experience, he aims to remind the public that a single moment of negligence for the sake of personal fun can lead to tragic consequences for innocent families sharing the road.
