Relatives, friends and strangers across the north-east were last night praying for a young boy who remained critically ill in hospital after he was horrifically burned when a prank went wrong.
Seven-year-old Preston Flores, is understood to be undergoing major surgery today after he was moved to a specialist support unit at Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children.
The youngster suffered 80% burns to his body when he was found on fire in an Aberdeen street.
Yesterday the boy’s grandmother Mary Flores said the family were preparing themselves for the worst.
“He’s in a really bad way,” she said.
“He is critical and they have had to open up his side and arm to release some of the pressure.
“I would love to go to the hospital and give my daughter a cuddle but I can’t face seeing him lying there. It was a beautiful sunny day and he was out playing, like kids his age should be. He was just a minute from home.”
Preston, a P3 pupil at Sunnybank School, was enjoying the start of the Easter weekend on Friday afternoon when the horrific incident happened at around 2pm.
He had been playing with two cousins aged six and nine, on Bedford Avenue. The trio are believed to have taken petrol from a council van with the thought of setting a fire.
Shortly afterwards, horrified neighbours witnessed the boy running screaming down the street, on fire from the neck downwards, with his clothes melted to his body.
Police have confirmed there “has been no evidence of any deliberate act”, and are continuing investigations into the incident.
The youngster was initially taken to Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital but was moved on Friday night due to the severity of his burns.
His mother Luisza, 32, and father Keith Will – who have three other children, Dylan, 17, Shanelle, 11 and one-year-old Leighton – are keeping a vigil at his bedside.
Yesterday friends and members of the public took to social networking sites to send support and encouragement to Preston and his family.
Emma Wilson said: “Keep fighting Preston, we are all hoping and praying for you buddy. Thinking of all your family and friends. Thoughts and prayers with you all.”
Carole-Ann Galbraith added: “My heart goes out to him and his family. I hope you pull through wee man.”
Chief inspector Nick Topping, local area commander, said a full and thorough investigation into the incident was ongoing.
“We understand he is still in a critical condition. We are supporting the family at this time and are continuing to speak to members of the local community to establish the full circumstances,” he said.
“So far there has been no evidence of any deliberate act and our inquiries continue.
“We have spoken to a number of residents about what they saw or heard which has been very helpful to our inquiry.”