Latest on fireworks survivors – surgeon describes ‘pure chaos’ after explosion

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – New details are emerging about the people who were seriously injured in the deadly New Year’s Eve fireworks explosion in Aliaman, as doctors described what they called “pure chaos” that night.

The GoFundMe page lists Robert Ishii he suffered serious burns to his hands, arms, feet, back and face, and is currently facing a long and painful convalescence. He was hospitalized and will need ongoing medical care and rehabilitation in the coming months.

Another GoFundMe page lists Kevin Vallesterosa was among the seriously injured and calls him son, brother, father and boyfriend of Melissa Cabrera, who was also injured.

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Vallesteros was one of six patients flown by military plane to Valleywise Health’s Diane & Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center.

The website states that he is currently in a medically induced coma and is fighting for his life. He suffered burns over 82 percent of his body and a broken leg. He is intubated, breathes with the help of a respirator, and also needs the help of a dialysis machine.

A trauma surgeon at Queen’s Medical Center told Hawaii News Now that the hospital received 20 to 25 patients in 12 hours, many in critical condition, about three times the usual number.

“My people and the hospital have united. It was pure chaos and people were doing things that were not part of their job duties just to help,” said Queen’s Medical Center trauma surgeon Malia Eischen.

“It’s just a tragedy. The fact that so many loved ones, friends and family were injured at the same time is devastating,” she added. “Every time we have to talk to families about the loss of loved ones, it breaks our hearts.”

Four people died, including a 3-year-old boy.

“Most patients are with us in the burn treatment unit. The most critical and severe cases are already with us,” said Dr. David Cho, a plastic surgeon in the burn unit at Straub Benioff Medical Center.

Doctors at Straub Benioff Medical Center say the burn unit is part of a Western consortium of hospitals designed to help other hospitals when needs outstrip capacity.

The Arizona Burn Center will provide another update on six patients there on Friday.

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