A teen was killed when a rogue firework struck him on the head less than an hour after ringing in the new year in San Francisco, California.
The unidentified male, 18, was reportedly visiting friends in the Treasure Island neighborhood for the holiday when the incident took place.
San Francisco police officers arrived on scene at approximately 12.40am and found the teen suffering from life-threatening injuries.
The victim was given first aid, but succumbed to his injuries just as paramedics arrived.
His distraught mother could be heard screaming at the scene: ‘Where is my baby? Where is my baby? Where is he?’
An unidentified 18-year-old male died after a firework hit him in the head around 12.40am on New Years day
The victim was given first aid, but succumbed to his injuries just as paramedics arrived. Mourning neighbors left candles on the street in honor of him
One neighbor told ABC 7 they saw a group of teens shooting off fireworks just before one of the explosives hit the teen victim in the head.
Remnants of the fireworks were visible in a nearby trash can outside of the home and on the ground.
‘The neighbors were all out, they said “Don’t go looking, don’t look at the body, it’s not good to go look”,’ May Sue Moua told NBC Bay Area.
The victim’s body was soon covered with a yellow tarp after he was pronounced dead and members of the community have left candles on the street in honor of him.
Brad Burke, a resident of the Bay Area neighborhood told ABC 7: ‘That is pretty sad I didn’t know that and that makes me upset.’
‘People are supposed to be safe. I’m not sure what happened, but it does suck going into the New Year hearing that.’
The San Francisco Fire Department has gone on to urge residents to take serious precautions and remember that fireworks are illegal in the city.
‘They are extremely dangerous. Again, no matter if it’s a safe and sane firework or a so-called safe and sane firework or a professional grade firework that is being used by a nonprofessional — any of those can ignite a fire,’ public information officer Lieutenant Johnathan Baxter told ABC 7.
Used firework containers are seen laying on the grass after the fatal incident
On Friday, the fire department posted a fireworks safety notice for New Years even on their Facebook page that reminded residents that pyrotechnics are illegal in the city
The teen was reportedly visiting friends in the Treasure Island neighborhood for the holiday when the incident took place
‘That fire can cause injuries, can cause death, bring down your home. If you have some that are airborne, those can cause airborne injuries.’
On Friday, the fire department posted a fireworks safety notice for New Year’s Eve on its Facebook page.
‘Residents and visitors to San Francisco are asked to do their part to prevent fires caused by illegal fireworks,’ the document said.
It also said that a ‘sanctioned’ fireworks displayed would be held in the city for the public.
In the Bay Area, fireworks include any pyrotechnics that ‘explode, go into the air, or uncontrollably move on the ground.’ Anyone in possession of these faces being fined or going to jail.
Skyrockets, bottle rockets, roman candles, aerial shells and firecrackers also fall under the description of fireworks in the city.
The identity of the teen and exactly how he died has not yet been released.
DailyMail.com has contacted the San Francisco Fire Department and police department for comment.
In New York, at least five people were injured after a driver, 44, being chased by cops plowed into New Year’s Eve revelers around 1.40am on New Years day.
More remnants of fireworks were visible in a nearby trash can outside of the home and on the ground
One car was reported to have mounted the sidewalk, resulting in the crash
The car accident happened near NYC’s Madison Square Garden just as crowds left Times Square after watching the ball drop.
The vehicle mounted the sidewalk and ran down civilians and cops before coming to a stop, reports suggest.
The driver, a 44-year-old male, was taken into custody at Bellevue Hospital. It’s been reported that the police were chasing the car prior to the crash.
Pictures from the scene appear to show three cars involved in the wreck, two black cars and a yellow taxi. While a video showed a man being stretchered away, appearing to be conscious.
The New York Post reported that a woman was pinned against a food truck and that the operator of that truck was also among those hurt.