A courageous act of bravery left an 11-year-old boy with severe burns after he jumped in front of a firework to protect his younger sister. On November 5, 2023, during a local fireworks display in Cwmbran, Wales, Olly noticed a firework that had tipped over and was heading directly towards his two-year-old sister, Daisy. Without hesitation, he positioned himself in front of her, resulting in the firework exploding in the hood of his coat.
According to his mother, Charlotte, 36, the incident occurred rapidly. “The adults stood at the back but obviously, kids being kids, they wanted to stand at the front,” she explained. Olly, along with his eight-year-old brother, Harri, and Daisy, stood behind a barrier when the firework malfunctioned. Charlotte recalled, “All I saw was Olly shout at his little brother Harri to run, and then he got in front of his little sister, spun Daisy around and pushed her towards me.”
The explosion caused burns to Olly’s neck, fingers, and head. Charlotte immediately rushed him to Grange University Hospital, where medical staff coordinated with the specialist burns unit at Morriston Hospital for further treatment.
In the aftermath, other families present at the event shared their feelings on social media, describing the experience as “traumatic.” One mother, Emma Watkins, stated, “I will never be going to a fireworks display again.”
Olly has since been discharged from the hospital but has chosen to stay home from school due to the injuries sustained. He expressed disappointment over missing an opportunity to play his bagpipes at an upcoming remembrance march. According to Charlotte, music is a passion for Olly, who has earned admiration from his piping ensemble, Piping Hot Cwmbran.
A spokesperson for the ensemble praised Olly’s heroism, saying, “What an amazing young man Olly is. We can’t think of many 11-year-olds who would have the foresight to do what he did with total disregard for his own safety.” They added that Olly would still participate in the remembrance parade by laying a poppy wreath on behalf of the band, affirming his valued presence in their community.
While Olly’s physical injuries may heal, the emotional impact of the incident lingers. Charlotte expressed a firm resolve, stating, “We will never be going to a fireworks display again.” She reflected on the irony of attending an organized event for safety, saying, “You think you are doing the safer thing by not doing your own in the garden and going to an organised event, but obviously not.”
The story of Olly’s bravery serves as a poignant reminder of the potential dangers associated with fireworks and the protective instincts that can emerge in moments of crisis.
