A rapper who was beaten, doused with petrol and set on fire by two thugs was left with skin hanging from his ‘melted’ arm after he somehow walked into a McDonald’s for help.
Taison Brockbank, 23, says he still has vivid flashbacks and nightmares about the horrific pre-dawn attack on a street in the central seaside city of Newcastle on September 28.
In the apparently random incident, Mr Brockbank, whose stage name is M3LLO, was allegedly attacked by two men who poured petrol on their victim and set him on fire, causing burns to 46 per cent of his body.
After somehow staggering about 200 yards to a King Street McDonald’s, he was rushed to John Hunter Hospital and then airlifted to Royal Northshore Hospital, where he was put into an induced coma.
He said that after being set on fire, he fell and rolled to put out the flames, but realized he urgently needed help.
Rapper Taison Brockbank, 23, suffered burns to 46 percent of his body during an alleged attack
Mr Brockbank credits adrenaline for allowing him to reach the fast food chain.
“When I got to Maccas, all I remember is getting to the door, opening the door and then just screaming for help,” he told the Sydney tabloid. The Daily Telegraph.
“I actually had skin hanging off my arm, I remember looking at my arm and I was basically melted. And my hand was completely degloved.
“And then I went in and out of consciousness. All I remember is someone going through my wallet to get my ID when they called the ambulance, and someone kept pouring water on me, and then I just blacked out, and then everything was black until I woke up was at the hospital.”
Two men have been charged over the alleged attack.
In the weeks since his admission to hospital, he has undergone five surgeries and major skin grafts and has painful physiotherapy sessions several times a day.
The left side of his body was most damaged and he required skin grafts on his arms and legs, while he also suffered other injuries to his head, body and legs.
He has to wear a pressure suit to reduce the scars and he may have to do that for years.
Mr Brockbank, whose stage name is M3LLO, says he is racing against time to recover from his horrific injuries
His best friend Bryson Woodhouse has one GoFundMe page to help pay the costs.
‘Although he is slowly recovering and is coping much better than most people would, he remains in hospital and could remain there for another month or possibly longer depending on how many more surgeries he needs and how quickly his body heals. Mr Woodhouse wrote.
“Being in hospital has caused him to lose his ability to work and it has been a financial struggle for him to meet his financial obligations such as rent, current bills etc.”
As of Wednesday evening, the page had raised more than $2,500 of its $5,000 goal.
Mr Brockbank said he was determined to recover and get home to see his dog, who has since been taken in by his sister.
He said his healing was a ‘race against time’ as his skin tightened, meaning scars became permanent, thicker and coarser, causing a serious complication.
Kym Bullpit, Brockbank’s mother, said the family feared they would lose him.
“He has proven against all odds, despite youth and health on his side, that it is possible to make a comeback,” she said.
“I believe it is his strength, determination and positive attitude that has allowed him to get so far so quickly. Also the prayers, love and positive energy being sent his way.”