Vancouver fire victim’s family thank rescuer, allege random attack

The family of a man set on fire in Vancouver Sunday had the chance to meet with the good Samaritan who came to his rescue.

The 29-year-old victim, Dane Cameron, was found by a passing driver near Main Street and Terminal Avenue, just outside the Main Street-Science World SkyTrain Station, around 2 a.m. Sunday.

That driver, Andrew Coulthard, remained humble when meeting Dane’s parents outside the station Tuesday. 

“I owe Andrew an unbelievable debt — unbelievable gratitude towards him. He is a wonderful human being. He saved my son’s life. I don’t know how I can thank him,” Dane’s father, Myles Cameron, told CityNews.

“We were in the right place and the right time to do something about it. I hope that anybody would have done the same if put in that situation, but I’m glad that we were there to help,” said Coulthard.

On Monday, Coulthard told CityNews the story. He says he pulled the car through a red light and onto the sidewalk.

“As soon as I comprehended that I was seeing somebody on fire, I just knew that he needed to not be on fire. I said to a friend of mine that my ‘caveman brain’ took over,” said Coulthard.

On the curb, he jumped from the vehicle and tried to help the man.

“It looked like his front was on fire, so I tried to get him down on his belly and roll around and get it out… But the flames were really intense, and they weren’t going out,” said Coulthard.

That’s when he noticed the man’s jacket was hanging off one arm.

“I grabbed it and just started beating the flames with them until it went out,” Coulthard explained.

While Myles is thankful someone helped save his son’s life, he says the news nearly killed him.

“I received a phone call from Vancouver police informing me that my son was lit on fire but followed up with that he was still alive. I almost died. My heart was broken,” said Myles.

On Monday, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) stated that the victim was a 40-year-old and had been released from hospital.

Dane’s parents clarified their son’s age for the record Tuesday, and said Dane was released from hospital but collapsed and was readmitted. He remains in hospital, covered in bandages, suffering from serious burns. 

In a statement to CityNews, VPD Sgt. Steve Addison said that investigators are still reviewing security cameras in the area to see how the fire started and if it was a criminal act. But after speaking with his son, Myles says he believes the incident was a random attack. 

“He said that he was having a conversation with somebody, and a woman walked up and sprayed a liquid on his face, and he wasn’t sure whether it was water or if it was a joke, whatever, until she lit him on fire,” Myles explained. 

“I don’t know how another human being could do something like that to another human being. And it’s just this thought that there are monsters walking among us. My son is such a kind-hearted, passionate person.”

The family has set up an online fundraising page, saying they expect their loved one will need long-term treatment. 

“For something like this to happen to him — He makes his living busking. During this incident, all his belongings were stolen; his guitar. He has a beautiful persona, and that’s part of his act. In an instant, his skin is scorched; he’s disfigured. It’s almost unbearable,” said Myles.

Investigators did not provide any more information Tuesday, only restating that the investigation is ongoing and they’re looking for more witnesses. 

While Cameron says he wishes more would be done, he’s thankful someone was there.

“You’re a hero,” Myles told Coulthard. “And again, I owe you a debt of gratitude. And my son as well. You saved his life.” 

“That’s the important thing,” said Coulthard. “I was very relieved to hear that he was okay, and I hope that he has an alright recovery.”

—With files from Charlie Carey and Ben Bouguerra