KOTA BARU, MAALYSIA: A 15-year-old boy, who is supposed to sit his Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) exam on Monday, lost three fingers when a firecracker exploded in his right hand yesterday.

Mohd Muin Yaakub, a student at private religious school SM (Arab) Insaniah, was using the firecrackers to chase off a stray cow from his father's vegetable farm in Kampung Wakaf Bunut in Pasir Putih, when the incident occurred at 2.30pm yesterday.

He was brought to Pasir Putih Hospital but later transferred to Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian.

Muin said: "I saw a stray cow going into the farm and I thought it would be easier to scare it off using the firecracker instead of running after it.

"I had ball firecrackers with me at the time. I lit one up and was about to throw it at the cow when it exploded.

"I felt a sharp pain on my right hand and a lot of blood started to come out from my fingers.

"Later, I realised that only my thumb and my small finger were not injured."

He said he has now learned his lesson and would never play with firecrackers again.

"I am worried as I am a right-handed person. How will I take the exam if I can't write?"