(Helen)- A 16-year-old male received second and third degree burns Sunday as a result of a vehicle fire in Helen. Helen Police Chief Brian Stephens said, the youth, who’s name can not be released because of his age, along with two other people were working on a vehicle at the Quality Inn when the fire occurred. Stephens said they were changing a fuel pump on a vehicle when an electrical arc occurred setting some excess fuel on fire.
Trisha Coffman was at work when she witnessed the frightening scene unfold near Betty’s Country Store. “I was at work and saw a boy running down the road engulfed in flames,” she told Now Habersham, adding, “he was burned from his neck to his ankles.” She ran to help him and was there when EMS arrived. “They extinguished the flames with a fire extinguisher that someone got from nearby.” Coffman said the teen’s clothes were completely burned from his body but he was able to walk to the stretcher.
The youth was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for treatment. Officials wanted to transport the victim to the hospital by air ambulance but weather conditions would not permit that. The incident was reported at 12:21 PM.
According to Stephens the youth was staying at the Quality Inn, were the incident occurred. No other injuries were reported. Chief Stephens said, they have not received an update on the teen’s condition as of Monday morning.
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