Teen faces severe burns after accidentally breaching thermal surface at Yellowstone National Park
In a recent incident, a 17-year-old boy was seriously burned while visiting Yellowstone National Park. The injury occurred near the Lone Star Geyser, close to Old Faithful, when the boy broke through the ground's thin crust near a geyser. This marks the first thermal injury reported in Yellowstone National Park this year.
Last year, a similar incident occurred when a 60-year-old woman sustained severe burns while hiking off-trail at the Mallard Lake Trailhead near Old Faithful. No information was provided on her current condition.
Sadly, this is not an isolated incident in Yellowstone. Hot springs have caused more injuries and fatalities in the park than any other natural feature. Over 22 people have died from hot spring-related injuries in and around the 9,000 square kilometre park since 1890.
To prevent thermal injuries, visitors must strictly adhere to safety guidelines when visiting Yellowstone's thermal features. These include staying on designated boardwalks and trails, keeping children close, and avoiding touching or entering any thermal features. Pets are also prohibited in thermal areas and on boardwalks for both visitor safety and environmental protection.
Visitors are advised not to throw objects into hot springs or other hydrothermal features, as this can damage fragile ecosystems and cause hazardous reactions. Toxic gases can accumulate in some geyser basins, so visitors should be aware and leave the area immediately if they feel unwell.
Ignoring these precautions can have severe consequences. The National Park Service warns that water in hot springs can cause severe or fatal burns. Tourists have been involved in various incidents at Yellowstone, including running for cover after a hydrothermal explosion at a geyser, sprinting towards bear and cubs, and an eruption of the Ear Spring geyser that spewed decades worth of trash.
The boy was taken to a hospital for treatment of burns, but no updated information was provided on his current condition. The National Park Service did not confirm if the boy was walking off the marked path when his foot slipped into the ground.
For more detailed official guidance, visitors are encouraged to see Yellowstone National Park's safety webpage and ranger instructions. It is crucial for everyone to prioritise safety when exploring the park to minimise the risk from the dangerous and unpredictable nature of thermal features.
After a recent incident involving a 17-year-old boy, there has been more emphasis on general-news surrounding the safety measures for visiting Yellowstone National Park. Reminding everyone, accidents like this occur when visitors fail to adhere to safety guidelines, especially when approaching thermal features. Despite the numerous signs and ranger instructions, incidents of tourists touching or entering hot springs persist, leading to potentially fatal accidents.
