A TEENAGER was blinded in his right eye after a prank went wrong.


The 15 year-old boy suffered severe facial injuries after a detonator exploded in his face.


He was playing with two friends at Leigh skate park, off Belton Way, when the trio decided to enter the nearby railway depot.

After coming across a box of detonators, which are used as fog signals on the rail network, they threw them onto a bonfire along with other items.


At least one of the detonators exploded after reacting with the heat.


Det Con Michael Bute, from Southend British Transport Police, said: "This is a tragic indicent which has had very serious consequences for the youngster involved. It does serve to highlight the dangers of trespassing into any part of the railway network which is not meant for public access."

The teenager was taken to Southend Hospital at around 10.45pm on Saturday, and is due to undergo surgery today.

It is not yet known if his vision will return.


Two 17 year-olds have been arrested on suspcion of theft following the incident, and are currently being questioned at Southend police station.