Adam and Lisa Dietrich of Scottsbluff and their family suffered a terrifying experience on the Fourth of July when a firework exploded on Lisa and their 2-year-old son, Gunner, causing severe burns on both of them. Gunner was especially hurt, and doctors at the Children’s Hospital in Aurora planned to do skin grafting on the little boy. The Dietrichs prayed for a miracle, and their prayers were answered when Gunner’s wounds amazingly began to heal naturally. Both Gunner and Lisa are doing well now, and the Dietrichs say they’re grateful for the many blessings they’ve received since their nightmare on the Fourth of July.
JEFF FIELDER Editor
SCOTTSBLUFF – Lisa and Adam Dietrich threw a few blankets, chairs, drinks and snacks into their GMC Yukon before they and their children – Gunner, 2, and Adalyn 5 – drove from their home near Lake Minatare to a pasture just north of Scottsbluff.
They met up with about 20 other family members and friends on this warm but nearly perfect Fourth of July 2020. They were excited to end a fun, memorable day by watching fireworks, and their spot in this empty field gave them a beautiful, safe view of the sparkling, crackling lights illuminating the city of Scottsbluff.
“We don’t like to light fireworks ourselves, so we wanted to watch them from a distance,” Adam said.
As they watched the fireworks, the Dietrichs laughed and smiled as they enjoyed making more precious memories with their loved ones. At one point, Gunner giggled loudly as his dad tickled him and chased him around the grass.
“We were having a great time,” Adam recalled.
As the main fireworks show in Scottsbluff began to come to an end around 9:30, the Dietrichs could tell that their kids were getting tired, so they decided to call it a night. Lisa picked up Gunner and held him close to her body while Adam gathered their belongings so they could head home.
As Lisa stood there with Gunner, saying goodbye to everyone, she heard a loud pop. Someone in the area, standing about 50 feet away from Lisa, wanted to surprise everyone by lighting a firework. After it was lit, however, the firework tipped over, causing its hot, raging ball of fire to dart right at Lisa and Gunner.
Lisa had no time to react when the firework pummeled her face hard, just above her left eye.
“I was in shock,” Lisa said. “It happened so quickly. The only thing I thought about was trying to protect Gunner as much as I could.”
You can read the entire story in the January issue of Nspire Today! magazine. Back issues may be ordered by calling 308-220-8865.
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