Townsville mum slams ‘neglectful’ campers after seven-year-old left with third-degree burns
An Easter long weekend getaway turned into a nightmare for one Townsville family after a young girl was seriously burned by a hidden campfire left smouldering under the sand.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An Easter long weekend getaway turned into a nightmare for one Townsville family after a young girl was seriously burned by a hidden campfire left smouldering under the sand.
Ashlea Hodder was packing up after a family camping trip at Keelbottom Creek near Mingela on Sunday when her seven-year-old daughter accidentally stepped onto the remains of another group’s fire.
She says the campfire had been covered with sand and not properly extinguished with water.
Her daughter didn’t see it, stepped onto the hot coals, and fell forward in pain, suffering third-degree burns to her feet and hands.
She was taken to Townsville University Hospital in serious but stable condition.
“This is what happens when neglectful people don’t put out their campfires! Common sense guys!” Ms Hodder said in an angry social media post.
The Queensland Fire Department advises campers to extinguish campfires with water when they have finished with it.
“Fires left to self-extinguish and those extinguished with sand or dirt can spontaneously re-ignite and retain higher heat levels for longer periods, which can result in serious burns,” a spokesperson said.
The girl’s grandmother, Roslyn Scott, has started a GoFundMe to help the family while Ms Hodder takes time off work to care for her daughter.
“With little income coming in her mum Ashlea won’t be able to make ends meet. Rent, food, utilities, car payments, insurance, petrol etc,” Ms Scott said.
“Times like this is when we need to help our fellow friend, our family, our community member. Please help me help Ashlea … to get through the next couple of months of surgeries and little income. I would like to help by paying their expenses for them, but I’m only on a pension myself.”
You can help here: https://gofund.me/a495c82a
Originally published as Townsville mum slams ‘neglectful’ campers after seven-year-old left with third-degree burns
‘She was screaming’: Teens’ violent rampage in stolen vehicles
An 18-year-old with an “appalling criminal history” deliberately hit a cyclist, while a 15-year-old known as a “prolific property offender” crashed into two cars during a reckless crime spree.
‘Take that leap’: Townsville model to hit the world stage
A Townsville-born model was “honoured” to find out he’d represent Australia in the Manhunt International World Final. Now, he’s hoping to inspire other North Qlders to chase their dreams.