Lehigh Valley man dies from injuries suffered burning brush, coroner says [Video]

A Lehigh Valley man died after an incident that hospitalized him with burns almost two weeks ago, the Lehigh County coroner announced Saturday.

The Lehigh County Coroner’s Office & Forensics Center said the May 3 death of Leo C. Pavelco, 89, of Slatington was ruled an accident following a April 22 incident wherein his clothes caught fire while he was burning brush at his home in the late afternoon.

Pavelco died at 8:05 p.m. on Friday at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest where he was being treated after the April 22 incident.

According to the coroner’s office, Pavelco sustained burns to more than 30% of his body which led to his death 11 days later. Additional information was not released.

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Larry Higgs may be reached at [email protected].