A shocking incident at one of America's most famous national parks serves as a grim reminder of the raw power of nature. In the summer of 2016, a young tourist met a horrific end after falling into a scalding hot spring in Yellowstone National Park.
A Fatal Decision Off the Beaten Path
Colin Nathaniel Scott, aged 23, was visiting the park with his sister, Sadie. The siblings ventured into the Norris Geyser Basin, an area renowned for its intense geothermal activity. Officials state that the pair deliberately left the designated boardwalk, traversing more than 225 feet into a restricted zone.
Their goal, according to reports, was to find a spot for "hot-potting" – the illegal and extremely dangerous practice of bathing in the park's thermal waters. The ground in these areas is notoriously unstable, and the waters are both blisteringly hot and highly acidic.
The Horrific Incident Unfolds
As Colin approached a hot spring to test the water temperature, he tragically lost his footing and plunged in. The water in that particular spring can reach a searing 93 degrees Celsius (over 199°F). His sister, who was reportedly filming him, tried desperately to call for help but found no mobile signal in the remote location. She was forced to run to a nearby ranger station to raise the alarm.
By the time rescue teams arrived, the situation was dire. They could see parts of Colin in the water, but a combination of fading light, an approaching lightning storm, and the inherent danger of the boiling, acidic pool made an immediate recovery impossible. The operation was suspended until the following morning.
A Body Lost to Extreme Elements
When teams returned, they made a grim discovery. The extreme heat and high acidity of the water had completely dissolved Colin Scott's body overnight. Rangers were only able to retrieve his wallet and a pair of shoes from the scene. The incident added to a sobering statistic; since 1890, park records show at least 22 documented deaths in similar circumstances.
In the aftermath, park officials reiterated their stern warnings. Lorant Veress, then the park's deputy chief ranger, described the geothermal features as "very unforgiving." He emphasised that barriers and walkways are in place specifically to protect visitors from the lethal, unpredictable ground and waters of areas like the Norris Geyser Basin, which sits on the rim of the vast Yellowstone caldera.
