Lincoln man in ICU after firework explodes in hand

Posted By: Bayley Bischof Channel 8 Eyewitness News

UPDATE: 

35-year-old Carl Lintt is still recovering from a significant firework injury he sustained Tuesday night. 

Police said Lintt lit a firework and when it didn’t detonate he picked it up to re-light it. 

That’s when it exploded in his hand. 

Police said the fire inspector is now investigating the possibility that it was an illegal firework that was purchased outside of Nebraska. 

Investigators confiscated several illegal fireworks from the scene. 

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Posted By: Rachael Miner

rminer@klkntv.com

A night of fun and fireworks took a dangerous turn for one Lincoln man.

35–Year–old Carl Lintt was lighting off fireworks with friends around 8:30 Tuesday night near Northwest 53rd and West Adams when one firework failed to ignite.

"It was in his hand and it basically blew some of his fingers off and damaged a lot. He has burns on his abdomen," said his mom Terry Preister.

Lincoln Police say the father of two had lit the firework once.

When it didn’t go off he went to relight it. LPD says that’s when it exploded in his hand.

Lintt was rushed to Bryan West with extensive injuries.

"They’re trying to save his pinky and his ring finger. He blew off his ring finger. They have a partial of his pinky and finger," Sonlee Prack, a witness to the accident.

Family tells us Lintt spent six hours in surgery Tuesday night and will need several additional surgeries.

Doctors expect him to be kept in the intensive care unit for several more days.

Lintt just started a job a couple of weeks ago and doesn’t have medical insurance.

Once Lintt’s released he’ll have to adapt to life as a left handed person.

His friends hope this can be a lesson to others of the dangers of fireworks.

"Fireworks is no joke, it’s no games. You’re risking your life lighting off fireworks," Prack said.

Family and friends have started a GoFundMe page to help pay for Lintt pay for medical expenses. If you’d like to donate click here.