Son saves his burning father with cola bottle - PHOTO

Andrew Wythe, 52, was completely engulfed in flames when a spark ignited fumes from the petrol bottle, causing it to explode and setting his arms, chest, neck and ears alight.

But he was saved when his son Nicholas, 15, shook up a two-litre bottle of Coke, aimed it at his father and opened the lid, using the force of the fizzy pop erupting from the bottle to put out the flames.

The father of two, from Mullion, near Helston, Cornwall, was rushed to a burns unit where he was treated for injuries and told he would need skin grafts.

But doctors said his son's quick thinking had saved his life and the injuries would have been fatal if had they not been put out.

Nicholas said: ''He started rolling on the floor, but because it was an awkward position that wasn't really working. The next minute he was running towards me shouting 'Help!'

''Instinct took over really and I picked up a two litre bottle of cola lying nearby, shook it, and sprayed it to douse the flames.''

The incident happened on Sunday as Mr Wythe and his son cleared a patch of brambles and weeds in their garden and built a bonfire.

When it wouldn't light, Mr Wythe poured some petrol on the bonfire, which flared up and engulfed his body.

He was rushed to the West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance by his wife Anita, before being transferred to the Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, where he was treated for his burns.

Mr Wythe said the family were ''very proud'' of his son.

He said: ''He's a very level-headed boy. Without Nicholas it would have been a lot worse, without a doubt. I was lucky really.

''We all know its dangerous throwing things on the fire. You could be lucky if the wind is blowing in the right direction, or unlucky like myself.''

Keith Stringer, station officer at Helston fire station, issued a warning about using petrol to light fires.

He said: ''Don't use petrol on bonfires and be very careful. People think they're just putting liquid on the bonfire but it's the petrol vapours that have built up around it that are so dangerous.''


/Telegraph.co.uk/

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