A man who tried to ‘hot pot’ in Yellowstone fell into one of the park’s hot springs and was completely dissolved within 24 hours.
Yellowstone National Park, primarily located in Wyoming, extends into parts of Montana and Idaho. Every year, an estimated three million visitors explore this stunning destination.
However, the park is also known for its dangers, and over the years, there have been several tragic incidents, including the unfortunate death of Colin Scott.
In June 2016, Colin Scott, a 23-year-old from Portland, Oregon, visited Yellowstone with his sister. The two were reportedly hiking in a restricted area of the park.
The tragic incident occurred near the edge of the famous Yellowstone caldera, also known as a ‘supervolcano’ or ‘hotspot.’
Warning signs are posted throughout the area to guide visitors to stay on the designated boardwalks. Deputy Chief Ranger Lorant Veress told local news station KULR-TV (via The Guardian): “[They] were specifically moving in that area to find a spot where they could potentially soak.”
‘Hot potting’ refers to the practice of soaking in natural hot springs, with the temperature increasing as the rocks in the spring get deeper.
Healthline warns, “There’s a big difference between warm springs and hot springs, and you can’t always tell the difference just by looking. In fact, hot springs can often appear deceptively cool.”
Before the siblings could find the perfect spot, Colin tragically fell into a scalding pool. His sister, who was reportedly recording their journey, captured the moment.
The report on the tragedy states: “The smartphone recorded the moment he slipped and fell into the pool, as well as her attempts to rescue him.”
Unable to get a phone signal, Colin’s sister ran to a nearby museum to raise the alarm, but by the time help arrived, it was tragically too late. The park’s website explains that many of the hot springs in the area reach temperatures of 199 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
When park officials arrived at the scene, they found Colin’s head, upper torso, and hands visible in the steaming azure blue water.
US park ranger Phil Strehle wrote in a separate report: “Due to the individual not being previously visible, a lack of movement, suspected extreme temperatures, and signs of multiple thermal burns, the subject was determined to be deceased.”
Rescuers were unable to safely retrieve Colin’s body due to the ‘volatile’ thermal area and an approaching lightning storm. When officials returned the following morning, the 23-year-old’s body was no longer visible, though his wallet and flip-flops were recovered.
“In a very short amount of time, there was a significant amount of dissolving,” Veress said.
Park spokesperson Charissa Reid added, “They were able to recover a few personal effects. There were no remains left to recover.”
Authorities have withheld footage of the tragedy and have not shared any details about its content out of respect for Colin’s family.
Park Superintendent Dan Wenk expressed in a statement, “We extend our sympathy to the Scott family.
This tragic event serves as a reminder to all of us to follow the regulations and stay on the boardwalks when visiting Yellowstone’s geyser basins.”
