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Yellowstone National Park rangers are working to recover someone who fell into a hot spring at Norris Geyser Basin earlier today.
Park spokeswoman Charissa Reid told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, “We do have a person that is in a hot spring and we are working on a recovery effort” but did not report whether the individual was alive or not.
The Park subsequently sent out a news release outlining what rangers know of the incident. From a Yellowstone news release:
• A witness reported that a man in his early 20’s walked off the boardwalk and fell into a hot spring.
• At this time, rangers are treating this incident as a probable fatality because the victim has not been located.
• Rangers are using extreme caution as they respond given the hazards of the thermal area.
• The location of the incident is approximately 225 yards off the boardwalk.
• The Norris Geyser Basin is currently closed.
Yellowstone officials added that an investigation is ongoing and no further information will be released tonight. The Park added that it will provide information as it is available sometime tomorrow. We will update our story accordingly at that time.
UPDATE: Yellowstone National Park has confirmed the death of Portland, Oregon resident Colin Nathaniel Scott, who fell into a hot spring after stepping off the boardwalk. According to a Yellowstone press release, Scott was visiting the Park with his sister; he stepped off the basin near Porkchop Geyser and ventured 225 yards off, according to the victim’s sister. He was 23 years old. From a Yellowstone press release:
Using extreme caution given the hazards of the thermal area, rangers confirmed Scott’s death Tuesday evening. Today, rangers will focus their efforts on recovering the body.
The Norris Geyser Basin is open. However, visitors should anticipate temporary closures in the area until the investigation is complete.
“We extend our sympathy to the Scott family,” said Superintendent Dan Wenk. “This tragic event must remind all of us to follow the regulations and stay on boardwalks when visiting Yellowstone’s geyser basins.”
