The man who partially lost his hand when a heavy piece of fireworks exploded during the PSV championship match on Sunday is in hospital. A photo shared on social media shows his right hand completely covered in bandages. It is not clear exactly what condition his hand is in after the cobra explosion.
The man appears to be known from a television program. His name is Appie and he was seen in the series Problem Districts Woensel-West. He is also a familiar face at PSV matches.
On Sunday afternoon, during PSV’s championship match against Sparta, things went horribly wrong. Images from before the explosion show Appie walking across the street in front of the supporters’ café De Aftrap, just outside the stadium. Young supporters, who did not have a ticket for the match, fooled around with the older man. One of them grabs him and together they fall onto the cycle path.
Another video then shows Appie walking in the middle of the street with his right arm raised. Smoke comes out of his hand and seconds later there is a huge bang. Appie walks towards the sidewalk and sees that his hand is completely open.
Stupid accident?
It is unclear how Appie obtained the cobra. Most people who witnessed the tragedy say that Appie picked up the cobra and ran away with it. Some others claim that Appie was given the cobra by someone.
The police do not yet know exactly what happened. According to a spokesperson, it is now being investigated whether something criminal has happened or whether it is a stupid accident. In any case, nothing criminal has been reported yet.
According to supporters, many (illegal) fireworks were set off at that location outside the stadium. A woman reports that she previously suffered a burn to her face and scorched hair from flying fireworks.
Then she saw how things could have turned out much worse: “I saw that man pick up a piece of fireworks and walk around with it until it exploded. He then walked around confused and bystanders came to help.”
Impressed
Many people saw the explosion and were deeply impressed. An eleven-year-old boy also witnessed it. According to his mother, the boy came home from the championship game traumatized. “End of party,” she writes on X.
