A dangerous TikTok challenge left a North Carolina teenager with severe burns and disfigurement.

Sixteen-year-old Mason Dark and his friends had the unfortunate idea of making a makeshift torch by combining a spray paint can with a lighter. Their attempt turned disastrous when the mixture caused an explosion, setting the group on fire.

In an interview with local news, Holli Dark, Mason’s mother, described her son as unrecognizable due to his injuries.

The boys, all from Wake Forest, a town about 17 miles northeast of Raleigh, participated in a risky TikTok trend that involved using flammable aerosols to create mini flamethrowers. Instead of putting out the fire, the spray can exploded, causing the accident. 

The loud explosion led witnesses to rush to the scene. Mason, in distress, removed his burning shirt and jumped into a nearby river for relief from the intense pain. Upon resurfacing, he found his skin severely charred. Unfortunately, his actions worsened his condition. Forcefully taking off the flaming shirt caused a third-degree burn on Mason’s back, while contact with the river water increased the risk of infection.

Mason was immediately taken to a Burn Center, where doctors found that he had sustained third-degree burns on 76% of his body. His mother noted the dramatic difference between Mason’s appearance before the accident and his current condition, emphasizing the significant change. The teenager has already had multiple skin graft surgeries, and his mother likens the healing process to planting grass seeds, patiently waiting for her son’s skin to heal.

Despite being an active football player and track runner, Mason faces an estimated six-month stay at the burn center for rehabilitation and recovery.

In a touching display of support, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched for Mason, raising over $40,000 so far to help with his medical expenses and recovery journey.