Breakthrough after man set on fire at Deni Ute Muster
An 18-year old man has been charged after he allegedly set another man on fire in a horror incident at a popular regional event.
Emergency services were called to a campsite at the Deniliquin Ute Muster in southern NSW about 6.40pm on Saturday after reports of a fire.
A 22-year-old man was treated by paramedics at the scene for significant facial burns before being flown to Alfred Hospital in Victoria where he remains in a serious condition.
Police believe the man was set on fire by a man attempting to ignite an aerosol nearby.
Officers launched an investigation into the incident and arrested an 18-year-old man at Wagga Wagga police station about 6pm on Monday.
He has been charged with grievous bodily harm by the use of corrosive fluid, reckless grievous bodily harm, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
On Sunday, police had released images of a man of interest.
He was depicted in the vision released by police as wearing a green shirt, blue shorts with a yellow stripe, a red and black cap and no shoes.
The Deniliquin “Deni” Ute Muster attracts tens of thousands of people a year for a weekend-long motorsport and country culture event.
Anyone with information, or who may have mobile phone vision, should contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
