A 19-year-old Australian man is recovering from catastrophic burns after he was allegedly doused with liquid and set on fire on a suburban street amid what prosecutors describe as an ongoing feud between two families.
The victim, identified as Jacob Thompson, was attacked around 6 p.m. on Oct. 13 along Cowper Street in Coonabarabran, New South Wales, police said. Bystanders extinguished the flames and he was rushed to hospital, where doctors placed him in a coma due to the severity of his injuries. Thompson suffered third-degree burns to roughly 32% of his body, including his face, torso, arms, back and legs, according to a fundraiser set up by loved ones.
Investigators arrested three people at a nearby property shortly after the incident. Aaron Valette, 19, is charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and affray. Mavis Chatfield, 45, is charged with affray. A 17-year-old girl was questioned and released pending further investigation, authorities said. A magistrate later refused bail for Valette; his next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 18.
In court, prosecutors alleged Valette approached Thompson with a plastic bottle containing a clear liquid and warned, “If you come any closer, I will burn you,” before the assault. Police also responded to a separate public-order call in the same area moments later as the aftermath unfolded.
Family members say Thompson faces a long, painful recovery that will include additional surgeries, rehabilitation and trauma support. The fundraiser notes that the attack, witnessed by relatives, has left “physical and emotional scars” and may force the family to relocate for safety and medical care.
Authorities have asked anyone with images, video or information from the area on Oct. 13 to contact NSW Police as detectives continue piecing together the events that led to the burning and the alleged feud behind it.
