The number of lives lost during the current bushfire season has risen to 21 after a Cobargo man, who suffered burns on New Year’s Eve, died at the weekend.
Emergency services were called to a home at Cobargo about 3.30am on Tuesday 31 December 2019, following reports an 84-year-old man had suffered facial burns.
He was taken to South East Regional Hospital before being transferred to Concord Hospital’s Burns Unit.
The man had since been discharged from hospital but remained in the area for additional treatment.
Just after 2am on Saturday (18 January 2020), the man sought medical assistance after feeling unwell and later went into cardiac arrest; despite the efforts of hospital staff, he could not be revived.
A report will be prepared for the information of the NSW Coroner.
The man’s death brings the number of bushfire-related deaths this season to 21.
NSW Police has previously confirmed the following deaths:
A 77-year-old man at Coongbar on 9 October 2019;
A 68-year-old woman at Coongbar on 9 October 2019;
A 69-year-old woman at Diehard on 8 November 2019;
An 85-year-old man at Diehard on 8 November 2019;
A 63-year-old woman at Johns River on 8 November 2019;
A 58-year-old man at Willawarrin on 8 November 2019;
A 64-year-old man at South Arm on 9 November 2019;
A 32-year-old man (RFS volunteer) at Buxton on 19 December 2019;
A 35-year-old man (RFS volunteer) at Buxton on 19 December 2019;
A 59-year-old man at Royal North Shore Hospital on 29 December 2019, after sustaining injuries on 7 November 2019 at Yarrowitch;
A 28-year-old man (RFS volunteer) at Jingellic on 30 December 2019;
A 63-year-old man at Wandella on 30 December 2019;
A 29-year-old man at Wandella on 30 December 2019;
A 70-year-old man at Yatte Yattah on 31 December 2019;
Believed to be a 56-year-old man at Coolagolite on 31 December 2019 (not yet formally identified);
A 72-year-old man at Belowra on 31 December 2019;
A 75-year-old man at Yatte Yattah on 1 January 2019;
A 62-year-old man at Sussex Inlet on 1 January 2020;
A 47-year-old man at Batlow on 4 January 2020;
A 71-year-old man at Nerrigundah, found on 6 January 2020.
