A teenager, Jacob Thompson, suffered severe burns covering 32% of his body, including third-degree burns on his face, torso, arms, back, and legs, following a brutal petrol attack in Coonabarabran, New South Wales, Australia. The incident occurred on October 13 as part of an ongoing feud between two families in the area.
Reportedly, Jacob was ambushed by a group of individuals who doused him with a flammable liquid, causing him to catch fire. Passers-by intervened to extinguish the flames before he was rushed to intensive care. Due to the extent of his injuries, his siblings initially struggled to recognize him in the hospital.
His family described the attack as deeply traumatic, stating that witnessing the incident had a profound impact on them all. Jacob’s condition was critical, leading to breathing complications and necessitating life support.
Following the attack, Jacob was placed in a medically-induced coma and airlifted to Sydney for specialized treatment due to the severity of his injuries. Subsequently, a 45-year-old woman, a 19-year-old man, and a 17-year-old girl were arrested in connection with the incident.
A fundraising campaign was initiated to support Jacob’s recovery, highlighting the extent of his injuries and the long road ahead for his physical and emotional healing. The family expressed gratitude for the small improvements in Jacob’s condition but emphasized ongoing challenges, including breathing issues and eye damage that require constant attention.
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