Schoolboy Left With Legs 'Like Raw Meat' After He Was Splashed With Petrol And Set On Fire

#1 A schoolboy was left with legs that looked 'like raw meat' after he was accidentally splashed with petrol

The tragic incident, which occurred on April 3, left Hunter Simmons with agonising third degree burns spanning his left hand and both legs.

The brave schoolboy has since undergone a skin graft but his mum Stefanie Simmons, 33, fears he will require more surgery, as his wounds could potentially rip open when he grows.

#2 Hunter Simmons suffered from third degree burns which spanned his legs and left hand

"When skin grafts heal, they harden so the skin isn't as stretchy as usual," said a devastated Stefanie.

"When Hunter has a growth spurt, his skin could possibly split open and tear, or tighten to the point where it's too painful for him to stand up straight.

"His legs at the moment are just like raw meat.

"It's been really tough on him, but he's so brave."

The incident happened as Hunter's dad, who doesn't wish to be named, and some of their neighbours were helping try and fell a large, dead tree.

#3 The 11-year-old has undergone a skin graft but his mum Stefanie worries that if he grows his skin will rip open

After trying everything, including pulling it out with a truck, they decided to try and weaken it with fire.

But, unbeknownst to Hunter's dad, somebody threw petrol on the flames in an attempt to stoke them.

"From what I've been told, somebody had an open bucket of petrol and threw some on the fire," said Stefanie, of Ogden in Utah, USA.

"Droplets of gasoline were spilt and left a little trail on the grass, which then caught alight. I think this must have startled whoever was holding the bucket, because they dropped it.

"Gasoline then splashed on Hunter's legs and he caught fire.

#4 The accident occurred after droplets of petrol landed on the youngster during a bonfire set up by his dad and neighbours

"His first instinct was to take off running, but a neighbour grabbed him and helped him get onto the ground, patting out the flames."

Stefanie, who is also mum to Niomii, seven and Jazlyn, 10 months, first heard of the accident when she was called and told, "I need you to remain calm but Hunter has had an accident and paramedics have been called."

Frantically, she raced to meet him in the emergency room of nearby McKay-Dee Hospital. The family were then transferred to the University of Utah's burns centre for specialist treatment.

There, doctors determined that 11 per cent of Hunter's body had been burnt, including his left hand and both his legs.

#5

The injuries to his hand were superficial and have since healed, but his legs had been ravaged by third degree full thickness burns, meaning every layer of skin was destroyed.

In total, Hunter remained in the burns unit for 23 days, during which time he underwent a skin graft and he hasn't returned to school since as he's still struggling to walk.

#6 After being rushed to hospital doctors determined that 11 per cent of Hunter's body had been burnt

"Hunter is healing well from the skin graft. There's no infection so far, thankfully," said Stefanie.

"But he's finding it really hard to get around. He still can't walk properly.

#7

"His body is working overtime to improve his skin so he tires easily. For him, walking 20ft is like running half a mile."

Now, Hunter undergoes daily physical therapy at home, as well as at hospital three times a week and it's expected to be another 12 to 16 months before he's fully recovered.

To fund her son's ongoing care, she has set up a GoFundMe page called 'Helping Hunter heal' and she's also sharing her story to raise awareness of the dangers of using petrol to ignite fires.

"When this first happened, I was frustrated, but I since spoke to the person responsible, who I don't want to name, and told him that I forgive him," she said.

"It was a silly mistake, but I want people to realise that using gasoline around fires is dangerous, and the outcome can be awful.

"Hunter has such high spirits and tries to be the happy kid he's always been, but I can't even begin to explain the pain he's has had to endure."

To donate, visit Hunter's GoFundMe page.