NewsBite

Hornsby man critical with burns to 50 per cent of body after falling headfirst into Terrey Hills bonfire

A man who tripped and fell into a large bonfire at a Terrey Hills party while trying to warm his hands is now fighting for his life in hospital.

A man, 58, was treated by a specialist medical team from the NSW Ambulance helicopter for deep burns after falling headfirst into a large bonfire during a party at Terrey Hills. File picture: Supplied
A man, 58, was treated by a specialist medical team from the NSW Ambulance helicopter for deep burns after falling headfirst into a large bonfire during a party at Terrey Hills. File picture: Supplied

A man is fighting for his life with serious burns to 50 per cent of his body after falling into a large bonfire at a party on the northern beaches.

The man, 58, from Hornsby was at a property on McCarrs Creek Rd at Terrey Hills when he fell face first into the flames.

Two other people received burns to their hands when they dragged the man from the bonfire.

The badly burned man was rushed by ambulance to Royal North Shore Hospital at St Leonards. File picture: Julian Andrews
The badly burned man was rushed by ambulance to Royal North Shore Hospital at St Leonards. File picture: Julian Andrews

Witnesses told police that just after 9pm on Saturday the man moved towards the fire, which had been made in a pit measuring between three to four metres across, to warm his hands, before he fell.

The man received deep burns to his face and upper body as well as to both his arms and shoulders.

His injuries were so severe that the NSW Ambulance helicopter, with a specialist medical team on board, was called in to help.

Northern Beaches Police said witnesses saw the man appear to trip on a small rock at the property, near the entrance to the Duckholes walking track in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, before stumbling headlong into the fiery pit.

The property where the man was burned is near the entrance to the Duckholes Trail at Terrey Hills. Picture: Supplied
The property where the man was burned is near the entrance to the Duckholes Trail at Terrey Hills. Picture: Supplied

“Police have spoken to witnesses abut the incident,” a spokeswoman said.

“We will be investigating how the man sustained his injuries.”

The man was treated and stabilised at the property by the ambulance helicopter medical team as well as paramedics.

An ambulance spokesman said two men were also treated for burns to their hands.

“The badly injured man was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition,” the spokesman said.

One of the other men was also taken to hospital for more treatment to his burns.

At lunchtime on Tuesday, the Hornsby man was still in a critical but stable condition at RNS.

More to come

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/manly-daily/hornsby-man-critical-with-burns-to-50-per-cent-of-body-after-falling-headfirst-into-terrey-hills-bonfire/news-story/f2144ed0831476b250944466fb6b0f6f