A friend who was with a New Zealander when she was allegedly set on fire by her ex-partner in Australia says she is glad she was able to be there with her friend.
They were on the balcony when Otton-Rakuraku’s ex-partner came round.
“I just sensed there was going to be danger when I saw him walk up the stairs to her house,” Nguyen said.
The 36-year-old man, identified by Australian media as Renata Manning, allegedly doused Otton-Rakuraku in petrol before producing a lighter and setting her on fire.
He was charged with one count each of attempted murder and common assault, and appeared in court on January 20.
Nguyen told RNZ it was a horrific and traumatising situation, but she was glad she was with her friend.
“The family are saying I was meant to be there – and I am grateful that I was,” Nguyen said.
In the minutes after the attack, Nguyen said she and one of Otton-Rakuraku’s sons, who was also home at the time, were able to move her into a cold shower.
Kiwi woman Destiny Otton-Rakuraku, 34, is fighting for her life in hospital after her ex-partner allegedly set her on fire.
She said neighbours heard the screaming and arrived in time to help her with directions for the emergency services.
On Monday, she said Otton-Rakuraku had undergone four surgeries in the past week, and her condition was stable but critical – she remained in an induced coma.
“The main thing is, she’s alive,” Nguyen said.
Family and friends had flown from New Zealand and around Australia to be with her, and Nguyen said she had only just returned to New Zealand herself.
A GoFundMe page raising money for her recovery had exceeded $50,900 by Tuesday.
“She’s so deserving of it,” Nguyen said. “She needs to start a whole new life now, especially with her two boys.”
The family would not be returning to that house – it was “not a safe place”, Nguyen said, with too many bad memories.
