Badly-burned toddler reunited with rescuers

St John paramedics Heath Fraser and Shayna Bennison with Liesl (holding Daniel) and Alan de Jager. Photo / supplied

A toddler who was badly burned by a pot of hot coffee last year has been reunited with the paramedics who attended to him.

Liesl de Jager, from Howick, said she found her 3-year-old son Daniel in the kitchen last year, after he had pulled a hot coffee pot from the bench.

The pot had smashed on the floor and scalded the toddler, leaving burns across his upper body.

Mrs de Jager said she immediately put Daniel in a cold shower, before climbing into a cold bath with him and running water over his burns as he "screamed".

Her husband Alan called 111 and St John paramedics Shayna Bennison and Heath Fraser arrived at the de Jager's home and attended to Daniel, before transporting him to Middlemore Hospital.

As a result of the accident Daniel was left with burns on his face, chin, neck, left arm, chest and back. The burns caused a large blister on his arms and blisters on his chin.

Last week Daniel was reunited with Ms Bennison and Mr Fraser, after sending a thank you painting to them for their efforts.

Mr de Jager said he and his wife appreciated the efficiency of St John. "They were in charge and I knew we were in good hands."

A year later, although Daniel had no visible scars, Mr de Jager said he and his wife were now "vigilant" with appliances and hot objects in the kitchen.

"Continue to make sure the kitchen is child proofed Be aware of how quickly a situation can change and if things are bad make sure you call 111," Mr de Jager said.