Fireworks accident gossip endangering children, police say

Social media speculation about a fireworks accident has put innocent children at risk, police have said.

Two boys were hurt including Bradley, eight, who almost lost his sight after the explosive blew up in his face at about 14:15 BST on Sunday.

The second boy was knocked unconscious by the blast in Hengoed, Caerphilly county.

Gwent Police said speculation about the incident on social media was "proving unhelpful".

Supt Mike Richards said they hoped they would be able to speak to both injured boys within the next few days.

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He said his force had received a "substantial" amount of information.

"We've looked into these details and have found that some of the information provided to us has proved to be inaccurate," Supt Richards said.

Bradley had shrapnel removed from his face and near to his eyes

"There is a lot of speculation about what has happened, so we're asking people to refrain from commenting about these matters on social media as some of these comments are proving unhelpful and placing innocent members of our communities, including children and young people, at risk of harm."

Police said a nine-year-old boy from Cefn Hengoed is being treated in hospital in Bristol and is in a stable condition.

An eight-year-old boy from Hengoed was discharged from hospital on Wednesday with facial injuries.

He was walking with a friend when he was injured

Bradley's dad, Rhydian Guzvic, previously said he understood the boys picked up a firework after a group of three teenagers threw it towards them.

This has not been confirmed by the police.

Supt Richards said the investigation aimed to understand what had happened in Hengoed that resulted in the children's injuries.