Pregnant woman burnt at motorcycle rally

A 30-year-old pregnant woman received burns to her face, neck and arms after a "foolish" incident at the Brass Monkey Rally on farmland near Oturehua at the weekend.

A St John ambulance officer at the scene said the woman was standing next to a drum with burning wood, trying to keep warm yesterday morning, when an unknown person threw accelerant on to the flames.

The woman caught fire, he said.

"It was a foolish action with disastrous repercussions.

''It destroyed the whole weekend."

An ambulance from Mosgiel took the woman initially to Maniototo Hospital, in Ranfurly, where she was treated for second-degree burns to her face, neck and arms.

The Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter was sent to transfer her to Dunedin Hospital but thick fog caused delays.

At 10am, she was taken to Kyeburn to meet the helicopter where the fog had cleared.

Dunedin Hospital duty co-ordinator Wayne McLachlan said the woman was in a stable condition and had been transferred to a general ward last night.

Acting Senior Sergeant Craig Brown, of Dunedin, said police were not called to the incident but an investigation would be conducted if a complaint was received from anyone at the event.

Brass Monkey Rally committee member Jeremy Burdett said it was only the second serious fire-related incident in the 28-year history of the event.

He said a man received burns to his feet and lower legs 10 years ago when he walked bare-foot across hot coals.

"It wasn't super serious.

''But this [the coals incident] is what happens when people have too much alcohol."

While Mr Burdett was disappointed with yesterday's incident and concerned about the welfare of the pregnant woman, there were no plans to change the way the rally was organised.

Fires were "inherently dangerous" and participants needed to take due care, he said.

 

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