The president of St. Xavier University suffered serious burns to his legs this week after fuel from a gasoline generator ignited and engulfed his clothes.
Richard Yanikoski, 52, president of St. Xavier for nearly five years, suffered severe burns to both his legs in the accident, which occurred Tuesday at his home near New Lenox.
Yanikoski remained in serious condition Thursday at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood with burns on 15 percent of his right leg, hospital spokeswoman Gina Dibiase said.
Yanikoski was burned when fuel for a generator he was working on or near ignited and set fire to his clothing, university spokesman Bob Quakenbush said.
Yanikoski suffered second-degree burns to both legs and third-degree burns to one leg, Quakenbush said.
Yanikoski managed to drive himself to a nearby clinic, and when the severity of his burns became apparent, he was taken to the hospital, Quakenbush said.
Doctors at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet later decided to transfer Yanikoski to the Loyola burn unit.
A special mass will be said for Yanikoski at noon Friday, at St. Xavier University’s main campus at 3700 W. 103rd St., Chicago.