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An Orem boy who was playing with friends was seriously burned Monday evening when they wrapped him in toilet paper and accidentally set it on fire.
Tyler Morgan, 11, was playing with a group of friends at a park near Geneva Elementary School at about 5 p.m. when they wrapped him in toilet paper like a mummy, according to Orem Police Capt. Ned Jackson. The group, consisting of four to six boys aged 8 to 11, then put Morgan against a pole and wrapped more toilet paper around him, securing him to the pole.
According to Jackson, the group then wrapped toilet paper around several other poles, creating a makeshift wrestling ring nearby. One member of the group then used a lighter to ignite a piece of toilet paper. The flames spread, igniting the toilet paper that formed the wrestling ring.
"When they saw how fast the toilet paper burned, they tried to put it out by stomping on it," Jackson said.
While the kids were trying to put the flames out, Jackson said some of the embers were either kicked or blew onto the toilet paper surrounding Morgan, which caused it to catch fire.
The other boys contacted the police and Morgan's father, who took him to Orem Community Hospital a few blocks away. Jackson said the doctors there saw that his burns were severe and had him transported to the University of Utah Hospital at about 6 p.m.
Morgan had burns on 20 percent of his body, mostly on his upper body, face, head and neck. Jackson said that most of the burns on his chest and arms were second-degree burns, while the burns on his face and neck were third-degree. Jackson said doctors inserted a tube in Morgan's windpipe, and the next 24 hours will be important in determining his condition. Hospital officials confirmed that his condition remained critical Tuesday night.
The Orem police department has one investigator looking at the incident. Detectives are talking with the boys to determine whether there was any intent to harm Morgan.
"At this point, we think it was an accident," Jackson said. "It was just boys playing that got out of hand. We don't anticipate any charges being filed."
Morgan is also good friends with Bridger Hunt, who was injured in a homemade fireworks accident on Pioneer Day. Travis Shaw, Hunt's stepfather, said the boys go longboarding and to the mall together, and Morgan has slept over at Hunt's home.
"I just saw him just on Thursday at the barbecue [fundraiser]," Shaw said. "He showed up to support Bridge."
Hunt was back in surgery Tuesday night for an infection, and Shaw said he has only been conscious enough to blink or slightly grab his hand. The boy's comatose state means his understanding lasts only about five minutes before starting over, so Hunt does not know about his friend's condition. |
