A reveller suffered severe burns after he tripped and fell onto the smouldering remains of a bonfire in front of horrified onlookers.
The Battle man, named locally as Paul Allcorn, fell onto the remains in the early hours of Sunday morning, following the annual Robertsbridge bonfire celebrations.
Police say the 23-year-old and some friends were trying to jump over the smoulderi
ng pile when the accident happened at around 1.30am.
After he managed to get out of the bonfire, Mr Allcorn collapsed at the side of the road, hitting his head.
A spokesperson for the South East Coast Ambulance said: "We took a 23-year-old man, who had suffered burns to his hands, knees and stomach after falling into a bonfire, to the Conquest Hospital in Hastings.
"The man also suffered an injury to the back of his head during the incident."
Mr Allcorn has since been transferred to the burns unit at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead.
A spokesperson for the Queen Victoria told the Observer yesterday that Mr Allcorn was "doing very well".
Sgt Dan Russell, of Battle police, said: "He was having some fun with some friends, mis-judged and jumped in and suffered quite severe burns to his hands and feet.
"It was a sad accident."
The incident happened after the event had finished, but police confirmed there were still marshalls on the scene in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Mr Allcorn has worked as a barman at the Kings Head pub in Mount Street, Battle, for just over 18 months and is very popular with staff and customers alike.
Landlord Jozef Rytlewski said: "He was very popular and worked regularly on Friday nights and Saturday mornings.
"Everyone's very upset and wish him a speedy recovery."
Mr Allcorn's sister works at The 1066 pub, which held a 48 hour 'dartathon' in aid of the Children In Need appeal over the weekend.
Mr Allcorn called in to the pub on Saturday to join in few games before going on to Robertsbridge.
Landlord Alan Batt said: "The whole pub would like to wish Jade's brother Paul Allcorn a full and speedy recovery after his terrible accident at the Robertsbridge bonfire night on Saturday."
A spokesperson for Robertsbridge Bonfire Society declined to comment at this stage.
