Police: Woman severely burned outside Southold High School

[Update: Southold boys basketball team praised for helping burn victim]

A 58-year-old woman was severely burned on the Southold High School baseball field Thursday evening, according to police at the scene. Investigators say her injuries could be “self-inflicted” and the incident did not appear to be criminal. 

The woman, later identified as Jeanne Caufield of Southold, was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital.

Southold police detective Ned Grathwohl said fire officials estimated she was burned on “40 to 50” percent of her body.

Southold Fire Chief Jim Rich said the injuries suffered appeared to be “very serious.” As of Friday morning, Ms. Caufield is listed in critical condition, according to a Stony Brook Hospital representative.

Southold boys basketball coach Lucas Grigonis was first on the scene Thursday. Visibly shaken nearly an hour later, he declined to comment until after he had a chance to speak with police.