Yunnan factory worker survives accident with 99% burns, employer tells family to euthanize him

A factory worker from Yunnan who sustained burns to 99 percent of his body after falling into a boiling vat of slurry has been told by the state-owned company he works for to take his own life after they stopped paying his medical fees.

According to Xinhua, 38-year-old Yuan Longhua fell into the vat on August 1 after working 13 hours without rest for his employer CQC Group. Yuan has since undergone five skin-graft surgeries and had his right leg amputated.

In early October, CQC Group began delaying payments for his medical fees and attempted to persuade his brother, Yuan Longyun, to withhold treatment so that compensation could be paid out to the family upon his death.

A company representative reportedly sent a text message to Longyun which read, "We suggest asking relatives to tell the hospital to give up on treatment, after he passes we will pay compensation."

Longyun replied to the representative saying, "You mean we should euthanize him, you're not going to provide treatment?" He did not receive a response to his message.

"Since my brother's accident, the boss has not once shown his face," said Longyun. "We don't have his telephone number, our only communication is through the company representative."

Since CQC began withholding payments, relatives have so far managed to scrape together 30,000 yuan to allow his treatment to continue. Despite their best efforts, Yuan still owes 90,000 in medical fees.

CQC is now looking into ways to raise the money necessary for Longhua to continue his treatment, but a doctor dealing with his case says that the company has been foolish in their actions.

"It was very unwise for CQC Group to delay payments," he said. "If the payments were made promptly, Yuan would have had treatment at the right time and he wouldn't need to spend so much money [on follow-up care]."

[Images via Xinhua]