Toilet seat burn victim hospitalised
SUNDAY , 11 JANUARY 2004
By RACHEL GRUNWELL Four women - including one who may be permanently scarred - were burnt after sitting on public toilets smeared with what an expert believes was an over-the-counter chemical.
The most seriously injured woman suffered second and third degree burns and is in Christchurch Hospital after sitting on the gel-smeared toilet seat in Sydenham Park early yesterday.
The woman may have to undergo plastic surgery, while the other three are recovering after medical treatment.
Christchurch police senior sergeant Neru Leifi said a white-ish gel-like substance had been placed on the seats, press-down buttons and the building's walls.
"Whoever did this was quite vindictive," said Leifi, who hoped a sample of the substance would be identified by ESR scientists this week.
Plastic surgeon Janek Januszkiewicz is not dealing with the case, but said the woman's length of stay in hospital would depend on how deep, wide and severe the burn was and what substance caused it.
He said people could recover from superficial chemical burns within days but if skin grafts were needed it could take about four weeks for them to settle.
"Generally when people need skin grafts there is long-term scarring and long-term disfigurement," said Januszkiewicz.
ESR general manager of forensics Wayne Chisnall believes the substance would be something easily obtainable from stores.
It could be paint-stripper or a household cleaner, possibly a caustic substance or made up of sodium hydroxide, he said.
"These things can be very aggressive on skin and should be washed off immediately."
The seriously injured woman's family said they were shocked but would not comment further.
Leifi said the toilet block was near a fast-food restaurant and a popular hang-out for teenagers who gathered there at night because there was no liquor ban.
