Arizona man dies after falling into a blazing campfire

KINGMAN, Ariz. -- A Golden Shores, Ariz., man died after falling into a campfire during a Thanksgiving holiday outing with friends.

The death of Thomas Bateman, 49, is under investigation by the Mohave County Sheriff's office.

Spokeswoman Trish Carter said Bateman and other "riding club" members were camping south of Lake Havasu City near the Bill Williams Bridge.

Carter said Bateman raised a wooden pallet over his head to put it on the campfire but stumbled and fell into the flames about 12:50 a.m. Friday.

Carter said the group put out Bateman's flaming clothing and took him to Havasu Regional Medical Center, where staff reported that he was "extremely intoxicated" and uncooperative .

She said Bateman died while in transit to a Phoenix hospital burn unit.