Bethany MaGee: Heartbreaking update after woman set alight on Chicago train

The inconsolable family of a woman who was doused in petrol and set alight by a total stranger on a US train have provided a heartbreaking update.

Betheyn MaGee was travelling on Chicago’s Blue Line on November 17 when a man allegedly poured a container of fuel over her and sparked a fire that engulfed the woman, causing burns to at least 60 per cent of her body.

The 26-year-old managed to escape the man’s clutches and exited the train before eventually being assisted by onlookers.

Ms MaGee’s parents and brothers have released a statement about her condition and said her recovery will “be a long road”.

Dr Gregory and Emily MaGee and their two sons, Mark and John, issued the update via a GoFundMe page set up to assist the family as Ms MaGee’s recovery begins.

“She (Bethany) is currently hospitalised with the severe burns she sustained, and she is receiving treatment under the excellent care of her medical team,” the statement says.

“Bethany is a beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law, granddaughter, and aunt. She is a good friend. She is sensitive, caring, intelligent, and imaginative.

“She loves living in Chicago, and her gentle spirit makes her a favourite with every pet she meets.

“She enjoys playing tabletop and video games with her community, and she is quick to include others in conversations and make them feel welcome. She is kind.”

The Indiana family are trying to raise $US24,000, which will assist in funding the gap over and above their insurance coverage

“With such a long road ahead of her, the freedom from financial worries would be a tremendous blessing,” they said.

Chicago Police arrested 50-year-old Lawrence Reed and charged him in relation to the horrific attack, before discovering he had 72 prior arrests.

Reed had been set free by a judge earlier this year after another attack on a social worker, the Daily Mail reports.

Surveillance footage released by authorities shows Ms MaGee sitting in the train car before allegedly being attacked by Reed and trying to fight him off.

After the attack, Ms MaGee ran to the front of the train car before Reed allegedly ignited a bottle in his hand, and followed his victim through the train before her body was engulfed in flames.

She then collapsed when she arrived at the Clarke and Lake station, and multiple witnesses attended to her while she waited for emergency services.

“I was there and I took my coat off and smothered the flames with it. It was not ideal as it was synthetic fibres but it was what I had and it put the fire out,” one fellow commuter said via The Daily Mail.

“I had started to run inside the train when I saw her but then I snapped out of it and realised someone had to help her.

“There were a ton of people there but everyone was just standing around.

“After I got the flames out I sat with her and the other women ... sat by her head and talked with her which was really important.”

Investigators charged Reed with federal terrorism charges after they obtained security footage of him allegedly filling a container with gasoline at a gas station 20 minutes before the attack.

Reed who was arrested for the attack on November 18, has reportedly been arrested almost 50 times and has had multiple felony convictions over the past three decades.