Burn Unit Stories

John Pendleton suffered life-threatening injuries at work after more than 4,000 volts of electricity entered through the top of his head and exited out of the back of his neck. His medical team at the Miami Burn Center determined he had suffered a traumatic brain injury, a skull fracture, brain bleed, and third and fourth degree burns.

Celebrity chef Ralph Pagano was in the process of opening his new restaurant on the island of Bimini in the Bahamas, when he suffered second- and third-degree burns on more than 40 percent of his body while prepping food in the kitchen.

Firefighter Tennyson “Mackie” McFarlane was responding to a routine house fire in Kingston, Jamaica when a propane tank exploded inside the structure. McFarlane suffered severe burns to his hands and face.

Cooper Grecco was driving home when her car got a flat tire. As she was pulling over to the side of the interstate, another car slammed into hers. The impact cracked her gas tank and the car burst into flames before Cooper could escape.

At age 22, Feride Buch was pursuing a modeling career. But on a summer day, her life took a tragic turn. While walking on the beach, Feride stepped on a piece of glass that cut her foot. She rushed home to clean the cut with rubbing alcohol.

27-year-old Chris Rotella and a friend were working on a 34-foot cabin cruiser in a canal in Fort Lauderdale, when the boat suddenly exploded. Rotella suffered burns to 60 percent of his body and was rushed to the Miami Burn Center at Ryder Trauma Center.