A mother of two died in a freak New Year’s Eve accident when a firework got stuck in her clothes and exploded.

The unnamed 38-year-old was walking along a beach in Praia Grande, Brazil, when she was hit in the chest by a stray firework set off shortly after midnight.

Her cousin told how the firework “got stuck” in her clothing “and exploded before it could be removed”.

Shocking video footage of the drama shows a huge flash followed by the woman lying in a heap on the sand.

The clip shows how her partner was also floored by the massive explosion but managed to pick himself up moments later.

One eyewitness told local media: “We were there, enjoying ourselves, when all of a sudden, we saw this girl jumping on the spot and screaming.

“I don’t think there was even time to help, because a few seconds later the explosion struck. It was horrible.”

Paramedics were called to the scene but could only pronounce the victim dead.

She reportedly leaves behind two young children.

Police in Praia Grande are now investigating the incident as a case of homicide and bodily harm.

Witnesses told police that many people had been setting off clandestine fireworks on the sand at the time.

The victim lived in Sao Paulo but had travelled to Praia Grande to spend New Year’s Eve with her family.

The firework that killed her was not set off by a family member, local media reported.

At the time of writing, no arrests had been reported.