A man is missing and believed dead after being seen falling into a Yellowstone hot spring today. Yellowstone National Park photo.
UPDATED June 8, 2016 at 2:15 PM MST: According to The Great Falls Tribune, 23-year-old Colin Scott from Portland, Oregon is dead after falling into a hot spring near Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park yesterday. An eyewitness saw the man fall into the hot spring–Yellowstone's hot springs can reach up to 200º Fahrenheit–and park rangers are still investigating the fatality, having closed the Norris Geyser Basin area in the process. Scott was touring the park with his sister and had apparently wandered over 200 yards off the pedestrian boardwalk and was near the Pork Chop Geyser when the incident occurred. It is illegal to leave the boardwalks at any time, as the geological features they traverse are not only often deadly, but extremely sensitive to physical intrusion.
Yellowstone officials have re-opened the Norris Geyser Basin but have advised visitors to expect temporary closures as their investigation of the tragic incident continues. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Scott family at this time.
In an unrelated incident, according to KTVQ, a 62-year-old Australian man was airlifted out of Yellowstone Tuesday with serious injuries after being tossed several times by a bison near Old Faithful Lodge. The man was taking photos with an iPad no more than three to five feet away from the 2,000-pound bison when the animal decided enough was enough and defended his ground. Park officials legally require visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from any animal in the park and at least 100 yards away from any bears.
About The Author
stash member Ryan Dunfee
Former Managing Editor at Teton Gravity Research, current Senior Contributor, current professional hippy at the Sierra Club, and avid weekend recreationalist.
Griselda Johnson
June 10th, 2016
Thank you for sharing this.