A man from Idaho is suffering from severe third-degree burns after a bonfire in the backyard went horribly wrong. Doctors had to place him in a medically induced coma.
Videos by Wide Open Country
According to East Idaho News, Robert Thompson of Twin Falls attempted to make a bonfire and have s'mores with his fiancée and two daughters on April 1. Thompson reportedly tried to start the fire but couldn't find any fire starter. Instead, he found a gas can. The outlet explains that instead of igniting the bonfire, the gas fumes sucked into the container, and it exploded while Thompson was still holding it.
Kimberly Graybeal, Thompson's fiancée, reportedly said, "His whole body went back, and his arms and his legs went out. He just freaking flew. It started him on fire! Robert was on the ground rolling, screaming for his life. He was just screaming, 'Please help me! Please! I'm dying!" Kimberly managed to take the flaming jacket off her partner and brought some water from inside the house. She drove him to St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center. Medical professionals reportedly told her that if she had waited at home for an ambulance to arrive, Thompson would not have survived.
Doctors Have Put Thompson In A Medically Induced Coma
Emergency Services quickly moved Thompson to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, where doctors put him in a medically induced coma.
Thompson's fiancé has set up a GoFundMe to help with costs, as her husband was the household's primary source of income. She is also documenting her partner's progress through several updates on the platform. Per the fundraiser, he has third-degree burns on the whole upper half of his body. He will reportedly remain there for at least three months.
The most recent update explains that Robert is coherent and knows what happened. Graybeal also says that he is breathing unaided and wants to go home.
Per East Idaho News, Greybeal has reportedly faced some backlash from skeptical GoFundMe users as the accident occurred on April 1. She told the outlet, "This is not fake as much as I wish it was. I wish I could say April Fools! It's all a joke!' But it's not a joke." Coleen Niemann, a spokesperson for the hospital, reportedly confirmed that Thompson is indeed in a serious condition at the facility.
