Beloved Wallingford Farmer Seriously Injured In ‘Freak’ Accident

WALLINGFORD, CT — The community is rallying around beloved farmer Billy Beaumont, who was recently seriously injured in an accident at his farm in Wallingford.

Beaumont Farm, located at the intersection of East Center Street and South Airline Road, has become well known throughout the region for the unique displays created by Beaumont.

Beaumont was seriously injured while working at the farm three weeks ago, according to Lisa Lohmann, a friend of the family.

“In a freak accident, his pants caught fire and he sustained significant burns to his legs and hands,” Lohmann wrote in a post on GoFundMe. “He has been receiving life saving treatment for the burns and subsequent blood clots at Bridgeport Hospital. After several skin grafts and surgeries, Billy hopes to be returning home to continue his healing very soon.”

Lohmann said that Beaumont has been in good spirits, but won’t be able to work for several more months due to the “gravity of his injuries.”

Beaumont was home from the hospital as of Monday and will have regular visits from nurses, according to Lohmann.

Lohmann has organized the “Let’s help Billy get back to his farm!” fundraiser on GoFundMe to “give back to a man who has given so much to our community, and to my family personally.”

“Billy and his farm have been a positive fixture in the Wallingford community,” Lohmann wrote on the GoFundMe page. “He decorates his property with incredibly creative and stunning exhibits for children and adults alike to explore free of charge. He has showcased his creative talents in the current Candyland display to previous sets with M&Ms, Frozen, Peanuts and A Christmas Story, just to name a few. He invited the community to come explore his labors of love and never asks for anything in return. Billy is a man of great joy and generosity which can be easily seen through his creative passions and heard in his infectious laughter.”

Lohmann said that she has personally known Beaumont for the past seven years, but her husband’s family has known him for more than 25 years.

“Billy has always been incredibly generous and helpful,” she told Patch. “My family has a small hay farm and whenever we have had issues with equipment, Billy has been willing, without question, to come over and help troubleshoot with my husband, father-in-law, and brother-in-law. His knowledge of mechanics and agricultural is truly incredible. Billy never hesitates to give whatever he can for the betterment of the Wallingford community.”

Lohmann noted that Beaumont and his farm are currently participating in local school fundraisers for mums and farm décor, and “of course, we all know of his gorgeous, expertly executed displays on the Beaumont Farm’s property. All which he does free of charge.”

On a personal level, Lohmann said that when she got married six years ago in October, “Billy generously surprised us by gifting us all of the pumpkins and mums that we ordered for decor for our ceremony and reception at our home/farm.”

“He is truly a good man and I am honored to be able to offer some assistance to him when he truly needs it,” Lohmann said.

More than $5,100 has been raised within the first day of the GoFundMe fundraiser, as of Monday afternoon. (Update: More than $40,000 has been raised as of Saturday morning.)

For more information, or to make a donation, visit the GoFundMe page here.