Teen Burn Victim’s Condition Worsens

The Newbury Park teenager who sustained burns over 85% of his body last week may be losing his battle against sepsis, a toxic and sometimes fatal condition caused by bacteria spread from decaying tissue, doctors said Friday.

The condition of Michael Halsell, 17, described as extremely critical since his March 11 accident, has deteriorated even more, doctors said after the boy’s third surgery to remove dead skin, muscle and blood vessels from his arms, neck, sides and back.

“He has a very strong heart, lungs and kidneys that have enabled him to fight strenuously to this point,” said Larry Weinberg, a spokesman for the Grossman Burn Center at Sherman Oaks Hospital.

But doctors noted that Michael has been disoriented at times, that his blood pressure and blood platelet count are falling.

“Those are signs of sepsis,” Weinberg said, adding that doctors now view his condition as grave.

Michael sustained the burns as he practiced rappelling on a high-tension power tower near the Conejo Grade. He either touched or came too close to one of the lines and was shocked with up to 220,000 volts of electricity.

“That shock should have stopped his heart, but it didn’t,” Weinberg said. “His heart just kept on beating.”

Weinberg said Michael’s father, Hal, mother, Bonnie, and brothers, John and Chris, have been with him throughout the ordeal.

“I have been working with the burn center for five years, and I have never seen a family show more grace and strength and dignity in a situation like this,” Weinberg said. “They are remarkable.”

Weinberg said no other surgeries were scheduled at this time.