Content warning: This article contains distressing content, including a graphic image and details of a child’s severe burn injuries. Reader discretion is advised.

Campfire accidents are a danger that many people overlook.

Sadly, one Aussie family’s weekend getaway turned into a nightmare after a seemingly harmless moment at the campsite led to life-changing consequences.

What started as a celebration for a milestone birthday soon spiralled into a warning for campers everywhere, as one toddler’s curiosity left him facing a long and painful recovery.

Rachel’s camping trip turned into a nightmare after a seemingly harmless campfire led to severe injuries for her toddler, Apollo.

The family had gathered at a campground near Warwick, south-west of Brisbane, to celebrate her brother’s 40th birthday, and everything was going smoothly until the accident.

On the evening of the party, Rachel and her family enjoyed a relaxed night around the fire, with the campfire eventually being extinguished using sand and water as the night wound down.

Campfire mishap leaves toddler with severe burns. Image source: GoFundMe/Jane Anderssen

But what no one realised was that the embers from the fire, hidden under the sand, still posed a deadly risk.

The following morning, Rachel, holding her six-month-old son on the verandah, was getting the family ready to leave when her two-year-old son, Apollo, decided to throw a tantrum.

‘Apollo was refusing to come to the car. He was being grumpy and walking away and stuff like that,’ Rachel recalled.

Then, just seconds after managing to coax him back, everything went wrong.

‘My dad said something, so I looked and then in the corner of my eye I saw Apollo just go hands and feet straight into the campfire,’ Rachel explained.

‘He was just so quick,’ she added.

Apollo screamed in pain, prompting Rachel’s dad to rush to him and put him under a cold shower.

‘I think I was in shock because I wasn’t even comprehending that it was hot, or what really was going on in that moment,’ Rachel said.

But it didn’t take long for the family to realise the full extent of Apollo’s injuries.

The hidden coals from the campfire had severely burned his hands and feet, leaving them bright red and peeling.

Rachel was thankful Apollo had been wearing red Spiderman shoes, which protected the bottoms of his feet from further burns.

Still, his hands were badly affected, and the family immediately rushed him to the hospital.

In just a few hours, Apollo was airlifted to Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane, where he underwent multiple surgeries to treat his burns.

Rachel said: ‘His burns are deeper than what they initially thought, and his hands and feet are still very dark red and swollen, so the healing isn't where they expected it to be.’

Due to the severity of the burns, Apollo may require skin grafts, and his recovery journey will involve rehabilitation and physical therapy.

In the midst of the trauma, the family has faced mounting financial pressure.

Rachel had only just returned to work after maternity leave, but without any leave entitlement saved up, the family is struggling to make ends meet.

‘I’ve only just returned to work after maternity leave, and I don’t have any leave entitlement saved up. We need to keep a roof over our heads, as a lot of people can understand with the cost of living,’ she explained.

Rachel’s husband Chris has stayed by Apollo’s side in the hospital, while Rachel has had to balance work and caring for their younger child.

With financial strain growing, the family has turned to a GoFundMe set up by relatives to help cover medical and living expenses.

Rachel’s warning to other parents is clear: just because a campfire appears to be out doesn’t mean it’s safe.

‘It’s really important for people to understand that, just because a fire has been put out, it doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous,’ she said.

Her tragic experience has highlighted the hidden dangers of campfire embers, a danger that could affect any family heading out for a seemingly innocent camping trip.

For those looking to better understand how to handle burn injuries, it's crucial to know the correct steps for immediate treatment.

Watch the video below for expert advice on burn care and first aid.

Source: Youtube/AbrahamThePharmacist​

Key Takeaways

• A family camping trip near Warwick turned into a nightmare when their toddler, Apollo, suffered severe burns after running into hot campfire embers.
• Despite extinguishing the fire with sand and water, the hidden coals caused Apollo to burn his hands and feet badly.
• Apollo was airlifted to Queensland Children's Hospital for multiple surgeries and may need skin grafts as part of his recovery.
• The family faces financial strain, with Rachel returning to work after maternity leave, while a GoFundMe has been set up to help cover expenses.

As Rachel's experience shows, even the smallest oversight can lead to devastating consequences.

Have you ever experienced a similar camping accident? Share your story in the comments below.

 

[RFG]

Of course the campfire is not out....it is the common way for islanders to cook their food for hours this way..a hangi, pit cooking & earth oven cooking.

 

[Sherril54]

You cannot be too careful with children around fire and water (possible drowning). it never ceases to amaze me why any adult would not supervise children around these dangers. I`m a sick and tired of parents complaining when their children are injured or worse because they had not been supervising them properly.

 

[Jo Piper3]

GoFundMe? It was caused by their own negligence.