Duane Trouchet loses left eye after faulty firework explodes in his face

In a nightmarish Territory Night scene, a well-known fisherman lost an eye after a rogue firework exploded in his face. See the horrific aftermath.

IT’S everyone’s Territory Night fears realised.

When a rogue firework exploded in Darwin fishing guide Duane Trouchet’s face on July 1, his life was changed forever.

Close friend Stewie Martin said Mr Trouchet was celebrating with his kids in the rural area when a faulty mortar firework went off.

“It exploded off at an angle, struck Duane in the face and then exploded again and caused major head trauma,” he said.

Mr Trouchet was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital in a serious condition and put into an induced coma for three weeks.

The explosion resulted in the loss of his left eye and significant burns to his face, but Mr Martin said his friend was now on the road to recovery.

“His recovery so far has been quite good considering it was very touch and go for a while there — fortunately he has got very good use of his remaining eye,” he said.

Duane Trouchet having his first iced coffee in hospital. Picture: Supplied

“He’s had his first iced coffee this week after 41 days so that was pretty cool and recently he managed to be discharged from the Palmerston Hospital and is now at home.”

Mr Martin said some of the rehabilitation would involve physical therapy for Mr Trouchet learning to walk again.

But it was the aftermath of the accident that made Mr Martin want to do something for the family, who he described as “real Aussie battlers”.

“His father offered the surgeon his left eye so that his son could have it,” Mr Martin was told.

“It’s a tragedy in every way, shape and form.”

Mr Martin is now calling on the fishing and wider NT community to show their support for Mr Trouchet and his family.

“The tragedy has placed a huge strain on Duano and his family, and it’s really important that the community get behind him to raise funds during this difficult time,” he said.

The GoFundMe has already raised $14,230 of the $10,000 goal.

Mr Martin has also organised a fundraiser on Saturday, August 20 at the Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association with fishing gear, marine electronics and Yeti products to be raffled and auctioned off.

Mr Martin said the amount of support already received has shocked him.

“It’s exceeded mine and the Trouchet family’s expectations,” he said.

“The generosity and support that we’ve received from the Darwin and in particular the fishing community has been nothing short of amazing,” he said.

“Their generosity will not be forgotten.”

THE TREACHEROUS PAST OF TERRITORY NIGHT INJURIES

Injuries on Cracker Night are not an uncommon occurrence.

The NT News has spoken to many a brave soul putting a firework where no firework should ever go.

Wagaman man Alex Bowden is one of the most memorable examples, being the face behind the iconic NT News headline “Why I Stuck a Cracker up my Clacker” after he put a firework in his bumcrack in 2012.

Alex Bowden on the NT News front page.

“I had a few lads up from Queensland and I had to put on a good show,” he told the NT News from his hospital bed.

Thankfully there wasn’t too much damage, apart from minor burns to his fingers and bum.

In a similar display in 2018, an anonymous Snapchat user posted a video of a unique way of setting off a firework.

He can be heard saying: “All right so the plan is light the fireworks, in the arse, lay down, firework goes off.”