A young Australian man has issued a stark safety warning after a wireless power bank exploded while he slept, causing him life-altering injuries. The device had been subject to an official recall months before the incident, a fact the victim was tragically unaware of.
A Nightmare Ignites During Sleep
Reece Walker purchased a Cygnett MagSafe wireless dual power bank from a Harvey Norman store in Bairnsdale, Victoria, in December 2023. Just three months later, in March 2024, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued an urgent recall, declaring the product a fire hazard.
However, Mr Walker had no knowledge of this recall when, in July 2024, the power bank burst into flames as he slept at a youth camp. He awoke to find himself on fire, suffering gruesome burns to the backs of his legs, arms, and hands.
Painful Recovery and Lasting Trauma
The immediate aftermath was excruciating. Mr Walker endured 40 minutes under a cold shower waiting for paramedics, who later had to cut away his boxer shorts which had fused to his skin. He was airlifted to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital, where he spent two weeks undergoing surgery and multiple skin grafts.
Almost 18 months on, the physical and psychological scars remain. "I still have trouble sleeping and wake up thinking it's happening all over again," Mr Walker told the Daily Mail. The trauma forced him to quit his job as a cook, and he continues to experience flashbacks and pain from his scars, with the smell of smoke acting as a potent trigger.
Legal Action and a Call for Accountability
Mr Walker only learned of the product recall after his mother contacted Harvey Norman to report his injuries. He states he has yet to receive an apology or explanation for the communication failure. Determined to prevent similar ordeals, he has now launched legal action against both Harvey Norman and Cygnett.
"I want to make sure it never happens again," he said. "There needs to be consequences for what happened." He also urged consumers to be extremely cautious with power banks and lithium battery products, vowing never to use one again.
Leading law firm Shine Lawyers, which is involved in the case, has called on manufacturers and suppliers to improve efforts to remove dangerous products from circulation. Public liability expert Kayla Cox stated it was "heartbreaking" that preventable, lifelong injuries resulted from a faulty product that had already been recalled.
When contacted, Cygnett CEO Jason Carrington expressed deep concern for Mr Walker's welfare and stated the company had been in contact with his family. He confirmed an extensive recall communication plan was implemented with retail partners but could not comment further due to the ongoing legal proceedings.
Daily Mail reported that multiple attempts to contact Harvey Norman for comment received no response.
