Not the Best Way To Prove You’re Innocent: Arkansas Man Sets Himself on Fire Before Trial
An Arkansas man facing a trial set himself on fire and jumped from a cliff, leading to a high-stakes rescue operation. 🌐 #News #WhiteCountyAR #Arkansas #Crime
WHITE COUNTY, AR – A dramatic rescue unfolded Monday in White County after a 31-year-old man, scheduled for a January trial on rape charges, set himself on fire and jumped from a cliff at Riverside Park. The man, identified as Daniel Selby, is now recovering from extensive injuries after being stranded for nearly three hours below the cliff’s edge.
A Perilous Plunge and Fiery Attempt
The White County Sheriff’s Office responded to distress calls from Riverside Park, where a voice “could be heard calling for help in the area below the cliffs,” according to Lt. Scott Seiders, who spoke to the White County Citizen. Seiders was among the first to arrive, spotting Selby stranded on a ledge approximately 20 yards from the river.
The Searcy Fire Department was summoned for a high-angle rescue, which also involved extracting Selby by water. Seiders described how he maneuvered along the cliff base to reach Selby, who was “conscious and alert” but suffering from severe injuries.
Race Against Time: High-Angle Rescue on the Cliffs
“I could see the man far down the cliffs and approximately 20 yards from the river,” Seiders told the outlet. Despite the apparent trauma, Selby was alert, bearing a “visibly broken leg, various impact injuries and second- and third-degree burns over much of his upper body.” According to Seiders, Selby admitted to setting himself on fire with lighter fluid before leaping from the cliff.
After hours in a precarious position, Selby was finally stabilized and transferred to a waiting ambulance for transport to a local hospital.
Legal Troubles Postponed Amid Recovery
Selby’s upcoming jury trial, related to a March 2023 rape charge involving a juvenile, was scheduled for January 13, 2025. However, Seiders stated that the trial “will likely be delayed while he recovers,” underscoring the gravity of his injuries.
With Selby’s dramatic escape attempt making headlines, questions remain on how his actions may impact his legal future. As the community watches this case closely, authorities and residents alike are left to process a series of events few could have anticipated.
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