Injured boys describe terrifying gas explosion; community rallies to help


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SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah community is coming together to help five boys, badly burned in a gas can explosion in Box Elder County a couple of weeks ago. Three of those boys are now recovering, a forth remains in critical condition at University Hospital.

Tayton Winward is certainly not out of the woods yet, though he has shown some real improvement in just the last 24 hours. The 7-year-old opened his eyes Wednesday, for the first time since the accident, and wiggled his toes: small improvements his mother said have offered the family some "much needed hope."

Back at home, an entire community is pulling for him, and praying for him; and that includes those four other boys who were with him when he was burned — a day none of them will forget.

"I was like a sonic boom," Spencer Cronin recalled. "I just jumped back automatically, as soon as I felt the flame."


I'm always praying for (Tayton Winward), every chance I get. I hope everyone else does that.

–Spencer Cronin


On Nov. 15, the boys were walking home from a Perry school when they came across some gas cans in a neighbor's yard. They started experimenting with the gasoline, which resulted in an explosion.

"It was really scary," Tyler Bergman said. "Everybody just started yelling and running."

"I ran over to Kayden's shoe to take it off because it was on fire," he continued, "and then I ran to the UPS guy (to get help)."

Some of the physical scars remain: Tyler has burns on his face and hands. "We have to clean the hands with a wet rag," he said, in a process he admits is very painful.

There are emotional scars too. Spencer remembers thinking "some of these kids might not survive."

Spencer, was treated and released the day the explosion happened. Tyler received second-degree burns to his hands and face. Their classmate Kayden Godfrey burned his leg and is awaiting a skin graft, and the fourth boy's identify has not been released.

But everyone's prayers and attention are being directed Tayton, who suffered second- and third-degree burns to his arms and face. He remains in the intensive care unit, in critical condition.

Helping Hands Healing Hearts Fundraiser
The Peak will be hosting a special event Helping Hands — Healing Hearts to raise money for the boys burned in a Nov. 15 gas can explosion. The community is invited.
  • Date: Friday, Nov. 30; 5:30 p.m. — 7:30 p.m.
  • Location: The Peak, 1455 South Commerce Way, Perry, UT
  • Details: Events will include pictures with Santa, silent auction, games, activities, bake sale, local fire department, entertainment & a boutique with local vendors. All proceeds will go to the burn victims and their families

"We know these boys, and we know their families, and we love them and want them to heal," said Mardi Obray, who owns The Peak, a kids' facility in Perry.

Obray is spearheading a huge community fundraiser to help the families with medical costs.

"It's been hard to keep up with the amount of people jumping onboard," she said. "We cannot answer the phone fast enough. We cannot write down the donations fast enough, they are pouring in."

At the center of the planning are those four other boys, hoping their classmate, and friend, can come home soon.

"I'm always praying for him, every chance I get," Spencer said. "I hope everyone else does that."

The fundraiser is planned for Friday evening, Nov. 30, at The Peak in Perry. The community is invited. There will be a large silent auction, food and entertainment, with all of the donations going to help the families of the injured boys.

The event organizers are hoping the fundraiser will not only help the boys heal physically, but help the community to continue to heal emotionally from such a terrible tragedy.

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Brooke Walker

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