A young person suffered severe injuries following an attack where he was set on fire, believed to be part of a long-standing dispute between two families in a small town. Jacob Thompson, aged 19, sustained burns covering 32% of his body, including third-degree burns on multiple areas, after the incident on Cowper Street in Coonabarabran, Australia. Reports suggest he was splashed with a flammable substance by a group before being ignited, leading to his hospitalization in intensive care.
Authorities suspect that the shocking act of setting Jacob on fire was a result of an ongoing conflict between local families. New South Wales Police indicated that the attack stemmed from a feud within the community. Allegedly, Aaron Valette, 19, threatened Jacob with burning before proceeding to pour a liquid from a plastic bottle on him, causing the fire. Jacob’s family has relocated due to safety concerns and has been supporting him during his treatment at Concord Hospital in Sydney, where he was airlifted after the incident.
Jacob’s relatives described the severity of his injuries, mentioning that he was placed in a medically induced coma on life support due to the extensive damage. Despite facing a challenging road to recovery with ongoing medical procedures and rehabilitation, the family emphasized the need for a safe environment for his treatment and overall well-being.
While initially on life support, Jacob has shown some improvement, although he continues to struggle with breathing issues and eye problems that require constant care. Despite the traumatic experience, his family remarked on Jacob’s positive attitude as he copes with the aftermath of the attack.
Following the incident, police arrested Valette, along with Mavis Chatfield, 45, and a 17-year-old girl at a nearby location. Valette faces charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and affray, while Chatfield was charged with affray. Both individuals were denied bail, whereas the teenage girl was released pending further investigation.