A festive Christmas Eve celebration at a Redcliffe caravan park turned into a nightmare when a simple act of lighting a barbecue resulted in a terrifying explosion, leaving a Queensland mother with serious burns.
A Festive Gathering Turns to Terror
Rachel Dear was preparing a holiday roast while staying in a caravan at Suttons Beach in Redcliffe. In a moment that changed the course of her day, an unexpected build-up of gas led to a violent explosion when she attempted to light the barbecue.
"I went to light it not realising I left a little bit of gas on ... and it went boom," Dear recounted to 7NEWS.
The blast sent a fireball through the barbecue unit. The flames not only engulfed the planned meal but also severely burned Dear's hand, shoulder, and face. The injuries, now over a week old, continue to cause her significant and ongoing pain.
Flight to Safety and a Stranger's Aid
In a state of shock and believing she was still alight, Dear's immediate instinct was to protect her children. She fled the caravan and ran towards the beach, screaming for her kids to get away from the area.
"I felt like I was still on fire so I ran for the showers at the beach .. and just screamed for my kids to get off the block," she said.
As she desperately tried to cool her burns under the beach showers, a quick-thinking stranger intervened. In her distressed state, Dear pleaded with the woman to call an ambulance.
"I just said can you call an ambulance, call an ambulance please, please — and she didn’t know what was going on," Dear said. She recalls the woman's calming presence, describing her as a "beautiful smile just like a motherly figure."
The Search for a Lifesaver
Now on the road to recovery, Rachel Dear has returned to Suttons Beach with a heartfelt mission: to find and thank the woman whose actions she believes were crucial that day.
"I’ve been walking up and down the beach and I couldn’t see her. I keep looking out for her," Dear explained. "She saved my life. She doesn’t know the difference she made to me that day."
The incident serves as a stark warning about gas barbecue safety, especially during the busy holiday season when routines are disrupted. Authorities consistently advise the public to ensure gas bottles are turned off at the valve when not in use and to check for leaks before ignition.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or can help identify the good Samaritan is urged to contact 7NEWS via their Facebook page.
