Girl, 16, dies more than a year after suffering burns over 90% of her body

Heartbreak as teen softball player, 16, loses her fight for life after suffering burns over 90% of her body in New Year’s Eve bonfire accident two years ago when she threw gasoline on a bonfire

  • Layne Chesney, 16, died from organ failure on Friday in Fort Pierce, Florida
  • Star softball player’s fight to survive was followed by supporters nationwide
  • She burned over 90% of her body in a bonfire on New Year’s Eve 2017
  • When she was first brought in, doctors didn’t think she’s survive 24 hours
  • Family say her health had started decline earlier this year and she suffered multiple infections  

Layne Chesney, 16, died on Friday morning

A girl who suffered third-degree burns over 90 per cent of her body, has died more than a year after the horror bonfire accident that injured her.

Layne Chesney died on Friday morning from organ failure after a string of hospitalizations in in Fort Pierce, Florida. She was 16.

‘Layne was called home today by our creator. She fought a hard battle right until the end- never wanting to quit- because quitting was not in her nature,’ her loved ones wrote in a post on Facebook.

‘We are heart broken, but remain always grateful that she was a part of our lives and world- we just wish it had been for a lot longer with us here on Earth.’ 

Layne was just 14 when, on New Year’s Eve 2017, she threw gasoline on a bonfire, not realizing how dangerous it would be.

Layne was 14 when, on New Year's Eve 2017, she threw gasoline on a bonfire, not realizing how dangerous it would be

Layne was 14 when, on New Year’s Eve 2017, she threw gasoline on a bonfire, not realizing how dangerous it would be

Layne, a youth softball star beloved by her many friends, fought to survive

Layne, a youth softball star beloved by her many friends, fought to survive

Layne, a youth softball star beloved by her many friends, fought to survive

Doctors gave her just a 1 per cent chance of surviving, and warned her parents that she would likely not live through the night. 

But Layne, a youth softball star beloved by her many friends, fought to survive. 

Support and encouragement had poured in from from other burn victims and compassionate souls across the country. 

‘I’m very, very, very grateful for all the prayers and cards that people send me,’ Layne told the Treasure Coast Palm in December. 

‘I don’t know any of them, but they still send me cards and encourage me and they keep me going.’

On New Year's Eve 2017, Layne threw gasoline on a bonfire, not realizing the danger

On New Year’s Eve 2017, Layne threw gasoline on a bonfire, not realizing the danger

Youth softball star Layne Chesney died on Friday morning from organ failure after a string of hospitalizations in in Fort Pierce, Florida. She was 16

Youth softball star Layne Chesney died on Friday morning from organ failure after a string of hospitalizations in in Fort Pierce, Florida. She was 16

'I'm just proud to have been her mom,' said Layne's mother Leigh Ann Wirz Chesney

‘I’m just proud to have been her mom,’ said Layne’s mother Leigh Ann Wirz Chesney

For first year after the fire, Layne was treated at Kendall Regional Medical Center in Miami.

Family members say they began to notice Layne declining earlier this year, struggling both emotionally and physically.  

On January 18, Layne was transferred to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Galveston, Texas, which specializes in burn patients, for more extensive treatment.

Layne’s mother says that her organs failed after multiple infections.

‘I’m just proud to have been her mom,’ mother Leigh Ann Wirz Chesney told the Palm. ‘I hope she will give me the strength to learn how to live without her.’ 

Friends remember Layne a smiling and positive girl with a funny sense of humor

Friends remember Layne a smiling and positive girl with a funny sense of humor

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk