Soccer player, 12, suffers horrific head-to-toe injuries after prank goes terribly wrong

A 12-year-old soccer player has been left with horrific head-to-toe burns after a prank at a local park went catastrophically wrong.

Keen futsal player Lucas Baldock, of Mudgeeraba - an Australian town on the outskirts of the Gold Coast - was seriously injured last Friday (September 26) when a deodorant can was set alight and exploded.

Family friend Carriae Sempf has since launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Lucas’ recovery, describing the shocking details of what happened that left the promising young athlete fighting to heal from severe burns.

“A child at Lucas’ local park lit a deodorant can and called Lucas over,” she wrote.

"Lucas walked over unaware of what was going on. Another child threw something at the deodorant can. It exploded. Lucas is covered head to toe in burns.

"Lucas telephoned his mum Sandy from the park screaming that he was on fire. My heart is breaking for Lucas and Sandy. What a frightening and traumatic experience for them both.”

Lucas Baldock was called over to a group of boys at the local park who lit a deodorant can on fire (GoFundMe)

The accident meant Lucas had to pull out of competing for Queensland in a national futsal tournament just days later.

A heartbreaking photo shared to the fundraiser showed Lucas lying in a hospital bed with severe burns down one side of his face, while his arm and leg are tightly wrapped in bandages.

"What was meant to be 4 fabulous days on the futsal court has turned into multiple hospital visits and likely surgery required for Lucas. As you can imagine, Lucas is in considerable pain," Sempf continued.

Before concluding: "Lucas. A beautiful child. An innocent victim to a mindless act."

In an uplifting update posted yesterday, a new picture was shared on the of the youngster smiling beside a teammate despite donning facial injuries.

Lucas pictured smiling with his futsal teammate just a matter of weeks after the incident took place (GoFundMe)

“So lovely to see Lucas smile again!” Sempf wrote. “A huge heart-felt thanks to everyone who has supported Lucas! What an incredible community we have.”

Queensland Police confirmed the blast was deemed accidental after the Gold Coast Child Protection and Investigation Unit reviewed the case.

“All parents were spoken to and did not wish to make a formal complaint. There is no ongoing police involvement,” a spokesperson told the Daily Mail.

As of this week, the GoFundMe has raised just short of $6,000 to help Lucas and his family through his recovery.

"If you can spare a few dollars to help this beautiful family with their medical costs please do," Sempf added.