Hibs fan says burning flare at derby could have left his son blind

THE father of a boy who narrowly avoided being struck by a burning flare during last week’s fiery Edinburgh derby has told how his son “could have been disfigured” by the device.

Andrew Walker’s child escaped serious injury by inches after a flare was thrown into the Hibs support amid ugly scenes at Tynecastle which saw a ball boy being spat on and coins thrown by both sets of fans.

The nine-year-old Hibs fan – also called Andrew – fled the stand as acrid smoke swirled around him thinking the device was set to “go off” and was left “teary and shaking” after the near miss.

Police are now investigating the incident and have appealed for witnesses to come forward. Today, Andrew Snr, 33, said the reckless actions of one rival supporter could have blinded his son and urged greater respect between Edinburgh football fans.

“If this thing had hit him in his face it could have disfigured or blinded him,” he said. “It’s maybe not the first time this has happened at a Scottish football ground, but it should be the last because is it going to take someone getting seriously hurt before something is done?”

The eight-inch flare, which is understood to have been launched from among Hearts supporters in the Wheatfield Stand, ricocheted off a barrier on the front row of the upper tier of the Roseburn Stand before landing at the feet of young Andrew.

His father kicked it into the concourse and began stamping to extinguish it before stewards arrived with sand to snuff out the embers.