Emergency services across Australia faced a surge in incidents on New Year's Eve, with multiple people, including two young children, suffering serious injuries from fireworks. Paramedics reported a significant increase in callouts as celebrations turned dangerous.
Children Among the Injured in Separate Incidents
In a distressing start to 2026, a four-year-old boy sustained serious hand injuries in the New South Wales town of Goulburn. The incident occurred just after 9 pm on Wednesday evening, requiring an urgent medical response.
Meanwhile, in Queensland, a six-year-old girl was rushed to the Queensland Children's Hospital with serious hand injuries following a fireworks accident in the suburb of Albany Creek. Both cases highlighted the severe risks posed by pyrotechnics.
Paramedics Describe Busy Night Nationwide
NSW Ambulance revealed they responded to over 3,400 incidents across the state during the 24-hour period spanning New Year's Eve. This marked a substantial increase from their typical daily average of approximately 2,800 calls.
Inspector Andrew McAlpine from NSW Ambulance confirmed the four-year-old boy in Goulburn was treated at the scene before being transported to a local hospital. His injuries were described as serious.
In Queensland, a spokesperson for the Queensland Ambulance Service provided details of the Albany Creek incident, confirming the young girl's injuries and her subsequent transfer to the specialist children's hospital.
A Pattern of Preventable Harm
These were not isolated events. Additional reports emerged from Western Australia, where a man in his 20s was hospitalised with serious hand injuries after a fireworks mishap in the Perth suburb of Balga.
The series of accidents has reignited concerns from safety authorities about the use of private fireworks. Each year, emergency services brace for a spike in related injuries during celebration periods, despite repeated public warnings.
The data from NSW Ambulance underscores the heightened demand on emergency medical services during public holidays, with call volumes jumping by more than 20% above normal levels.
Authorities continue to emphasise that fireworks are explosives and should only be handled by trained professionals in controlled settings. The incidents serve as a stark reminder of the potential for life-altering injuries, particularly for children, when safety protocols are not followed.
