12-Year-Old Football Player Suffers Severe Burns Following Harmful Prank

A young soccer enthusiast has been hospitalized with serious burns after a dangerous prank went wrong, causing him to miss a major competition.

Lucas Baldock, 12, was injured in a park on the Gold Coast area of Mudgeeraba when a can of deodorant was set on fire and exploded. The incident also resulted in injuries to another 12-year-old boy.

Lucas’s friend, Carriae Sempf, shared his experience on a fundraising page to help with his recovery. She explained that a child at the park called Lucas over after lighting the deodorant can. Unaware of what was about to happen, Lucas approached, only for another child to throw something at the can, which then exploded. Lucas was engulfed in flames and called his mother, screaming in pain.

After the incident, Lucas was rushed to hospital with burns covering his head, face, and limbs. Despite the severity, he has shown resilience and is recovering, with photos revealing him smiling while bandaged in his hospital bed.

The injuries forced him to forgo a chance to represent Queensland in a national futsal competition. Sempf described Lucas as a kind and innocent child, emphasizing how the incident has drastically altered his plans and caused him pain.

Local authorities have determined the incident was accidental, with police concluding there is no ongoing investigation after speaking with the parents involved. A fundraising effort has been launched, collecting nearly $6,000 to support Lucas’s treatment and recovery.

Her update expressed gratitude towards the community’s support and highlighted Lucas’s strength as he continues to heal.

Lucas’s story underscores the dangers of reckless pranks and the importance of safety and responsibility among young children.