BREAKING NEWS: Man sets himself alight at airfield
The man sustained severe burn wounds to 90 to 95 percent of his body. Broekman had to use no less than 20 burn wound dressings. He immediately called for airlift assistance.
LYDENBURG – A 33 year-old man set himself alight at the local airfield after an apparent domestic row with his wife. Mr Thabo Mkhondo apparently poured petrol over himself while sitting in his Nissan NP200 bakkie. According to Sgt Elizabeth Mogao, communications officer at Lydenburg SAPS, Mkondo allegedly phoned his father earlier and told him of his intention to end his life.
“A passer-by noticed the burning vehicle and upon inspection realised someone was still inside. As the heat coming from the vehicle was too intense, he rammed the vehicle with his own bakkie’s bull bar, popping the door open in the process. A badly burnt Mkhondo fell out. The man doused him with water and immediately phoned for medical assistance,” Magoa said.
Hazmat operator, Mr Deon Broekman was first to reach the scene. “The man sustained severe burn wounds to 90 to 95 percent of his body. I had to use no less than 20 burn wound dressings. I immediately called for airlift assistance.”Mkhondo was airlifted to Nelspruit Medi-Mediclinic. He is still in a very critical condition.
