11-year-old from Secunda sustains burns in freak accident
Xavier Mariah (11) sustained second-degree burns to his body when he was applying gel to a catering food warmer at a family function on October 15.
Something that Xavier Mariah had done many times before with his father Ashley resulted in the 11-year-old sustaining second-degree burns to 30 per cent of his body on the afternoon of October 15.
Xavier was helping his father set up catering food warmers (Bain Marie) during a family function in Midrand when a spark set flame to the gel and made contact with the soccer outfit Xavier was wearing.
When speaking to the Ridge Times, his mother Shimona can only describe what happened to him as a “freak accident”. She issued a warning to anyone when using anything that is highly flammable.
Shimona explained that Xavier normally helps his father with the setting up of the food warmers they use at home. The only difference was that they were using a caterer’s food warmer, who had also supplied the gel with the equipment.
“They were adding the gel to the food warmer when a spark got onto his clothes. It all happened in a matter of seconds and the damage was already done,” said Shimona.
She explained that Ashley pulled off Xavier’s shirt, while Shimona’s uncle pulled off Xavier’s pants. The boy, however, already sustained severe burns.
“There was nothing any of us could do but to pray and keep him as calm as possible until the paramedics arrived.”
The ambulance rushed Xavier to Sunninghill Hospital, but due to the extent of his injuries, he had to be transferred to Netcare Alberton.
“The doctor was already waiting for Xavier’s arrival and he was taken straight into the theatre. He was kept sedated from the time the paramedics arrived due to the severity of his wounds,” said Shimona.
He has suffered burns to his chest, stomach, left hand and arm and both of his thighs. Xavier spent three days in the ICU on a ventilator, on his birthday (October 18).
Shimona said to date he has been to the theatre seven times and most recently underwent a skin graft in some of the areas that were not healing well.
“It was very painful for him but he is doing well with his recovery. We have a lot of support and prayers from our family, church family, friends, and his school.”
Shimona has not left Xavier’s side while in hospital. His father and sister Izabel (13), travel through on weekends for family time.
“This was something we did not expect to happen. This was a freak accident. There is no way of explaining it any other way,” said Shimona.
Both Xavier’s father and the uncle sustained slight burns to their hands when they removed his clothes.
“The fact that we kept calm in this situation helped a lot,” said Shimona.
“He gets his bad days and we cry a lot, but we know that God has His reasons and we have to trust Him,” concluded Shimona.
Xavier was discharged from the hospital on Sunday.
Xavier is a Grade Five learner at Oranjegloed Primary School in Secunda and is a bright young boy who is a top achiever in academics and sports.
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