UPDATE: Critical incident declared after man suffers severe burns - Pittwater

Saturday, 26 October 2024 06:42:14 PM

A man has died in hospital after suffering significant burns while on a boat on Sydney’s Pittwater earlier this month, which is being investigated by a critical incident team.

About 2.55pm on Wednesday 9 October 2024, police were called to Pittwater, near Scotland Island, following reports of a concern for welfare.

Officers attached to Sydney Water Police spoke with a 61-year-old man regarding the alleged activation of an EPIRB emergency device.

While police were speaking with him, the man is alleged to have picked up a jerry can, pouring the contents of the can over himself while smoking a cigarette, which ignited a fire.

Police officers put out the fire and immediately provided first aid to the man.

He was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Royal North Shore Hospital for further treatment. His condition was reported to be critical but stable.

About 4am today (Saturday 26 October 2024) the man died in hospital.

A critical incident team from Nepean Police Area Command is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation is also subject to an independent review.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

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