Officers Tracking Flare's Shooter

Newcastle Herald

Saturday January 3, 2009

By STEPHEN RYAN

NEWCASTLE water police are confident they will track down the person who fired the flare that hit New Lambton 10-year-old Brianan Jeffery during the New Year's Eve fireworks on Newcastle Foreshore.

A police spokesman said they were well on the way to narrowing down which boats were on the harbour when the flares were let off.

Brianan's mother Anna Eveleigh said Brianan was still in pain yesterday, especially when using two of her fingers.

Brianan was with her family when she adjusted her hair and something hit her hand. It was a ship's distress flare and left a third-degree burn.

Brianan will see doctors again next week to decide if she needs a skin graft.

The story generated anger on The Herald's website.

"Not only did the boats fire the flares at random, but they were also firing the flares at the fireworks base," a contributor said.

Flare starts fire Page 10

© 2009 Newcastle Herald

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