Numurkah boy left with severe burns after accidental blaze – family rallies as donations pour in

A young boy was flown to Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital after a devastating backyard accident left him with life-threatening burns.

Levi Presland suffered horrific burns after his polyester jumper went up in flames. Picture: Supplied/GoFundMe

A freak accident has left a 12-year-old Numurkah boy with severe burns as his family expressing deep gratitude for Melbourne’s world-class medical facilities.

Levi Presland was playing in the backyard of his grandparents’ home when he flicked a lighter he discovered out the back of the property.

What followed was a parents’ worst nightmare as the polyester jumper he was wearing became engulfed in flames.

His big sister Megan saw him first from the kitchen and immediately turned a garden hose on Levi in an attempt to save her little brother from the fire.

“Levi’s instant reaction was to stop, drop and roll, but that didn’t help so he jumped up and pulled his jumper and T-shirt over his head,” Levi’s mum Amie Keane said.

Levi has had seven surgeries with more likely to come Picture: Supplied

Levi was then taken by helicopter to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

Levi suffered full thickness burns to his torso and underarms, and minor burns to his face and hand.

“We live in northern Victoria, a three-hour drive from Melbourne, and from it happening to landing on the roof was less than two hours,” Ms Keane said.

Levi has since undergone his first skin graft and completed seven surgeries to date. Despite his injuries, he remains resilient.

“He’s doing amazingly well. He has been so patient and tolerant with everything that has been thrown at him in the six weeks since we have been here,” Ms Keane said.

Ms Keane praised the medical team both locally and at the Royal Children’s Hospital, saying that Levi was fortunate to have access to such advanced facilities.

Levi’s family has been splitting their time between Melbourne and Numurkah since the accident happened. Picture: Supplied

“You hear so many awful things about Ambulance Victoria and wait times and things like that but we were absolutely blown away by the service we received and how quickly they arrived and how quickly it was decided he needed to be (at the RCH),” Ms Keane said.

“We are so lucky to have facilities like the Royal Children’s Hospital in our backyard.”

Close family friend Stephen Ritchie, wanting to support the family, started a GoFundMe campaign that has already drawn more than 150 donations, raising nearly $12,500.

“It was a pretty traumatic experience for the family and it was like, ‘What can we do? How can we help? So we just thought we would pass the hat around to help them make ends meet until Levi is out of the hospital,” Mr Ritchie said.

A GoFundMe to support Levi’s family has been set up and has surpassed $12,000 already. Picture: Supplied

The family has been overwhelmed by the generosity and support from the community.

“The GoFundMe has been very humbling. And a we want to say a big thank you to all the family and friends and everyone else who has helped us, whether through the GoFundMe or the endless calls and texts of support, it has made the extremely long stay in the hospital move a little faster and seem as little less traumatic,” Ms Keane said.