WHITHORN, Westmoreland — Dacia Forrester’s family launched desperate appeals for financial help Friday, one day after the 40-year-old woman endured a horrific attack at a local gas station. Witnesses described how another woman doused Forrester with gasoline during a dispute and ignited her, leaving her with burns covering 70% of her body.

Carol Blackwood-Hewitt, Forrester’s sister, broke down in tears during a public plea captured on video. “I am pleading to the public; I am begging for help,” she said. “I don’t want to lose her. Her birthday is on the 26th of February.” Blackwood-Hewitt emphasized the urgency as Forrester fights for her life in a local hospital.

The family quickly set up a GoFundMe campaign to cover air evacuation costs. Stephen Josephs, co-founder of the Burn Foundation of Jamaica & Crisis Support Charity, confirmed an air ambulance remains on standby. “We are racing against time,” Josephs told reporters. He stressed that third-degree burns of this severity demand immediate specialized treatment unavailable in Jamaica.

Senior Superintendent Othneil Dobson, head of Westmoreland police, verified the incident occurred Thursday in Whithorn. Contacted late Friday, he declined to release suspect details or further case information. Police reports indicate the altercation stemmed from a dispute between Forrester and another woman at the gas station, though motives remain unclear.

Josephs detailed Forrester’s grave condition. The burns have ravaged her skin across most of her body, complicating basic care and raising infection risks. “Every hour counts,” he added. The foundation urges swift donations to secure the medical flight, estimated to cost thousands of dollars.

Blackwood-Hewitt recounted the chaos at the scene. Forrester screamed as flames engulfed her before bystanders doused the fire with water. Paramedics rushed her to Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital, where doctors stabilized her for transfer discussions.

The GoFundMe page, accessible at https://tinyurl.com/4mjkshee, had garnered initial support by Friday evening. Family members posted updates, including photos of the smiling victim before the attack. “Dacia is a fighter, but she needs us now,” one relative wrote.

Representatives from the Burn Foundation of Jamaica & Crisis Support Charity can be reached at 876-344-7028 for direct inquiries or pledges. The group specializes in burn victim aid and has coordinated similar evacuations in past crises.

Westmoreland residents expressed shock over the violence in their tight-knit community. Whithorn, a coastal parish town, rarely sees such brutality at everyday spots like gas stations. Police have increased patrols while investigating.

Forrester’s upcoming birthday adds a poignant layer to the appeals. Blackwood-Hewitt vowed to celebrate if her sister pulls through. “She’s strong. We just need the money to get her out,” she said.

Donations continue to pour in as the campaign spreads online. Josephs reported positive early momentum but warned that full funding must materialize soon. Without it, Forrester’s odds diminish by the day.