Breaks Through Ground Suffering Serious Burns
On Monday afternoon, September 16, 2024, a an avoidable accident occurred in Yellowstone National Park when a 60-year-old visitor from Windsor, New Hampshire, sustained serious thermal burns. The woman was walking off the designated trails with her husband and their leashed dog near the Mallard Lake Trailhead at Old Faithful, an area known for its thermal activity. While hiking, she stepped on a fragile, thin crust of ground, breaking through to scalding water below and suffered second and third-degree burns to her lower leg.
Following the incident, the injured visitor and her husband immediately sought medical attention at a park clinic. She was later airlifted to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for further treatment. Her husband and dog did not sustain any injuries.
Official say this is a reminder of the dangers present in hydrothermal areas of Yellowstone. The park strictly advises visitors to stay on boardwalks and trails and exercise caution, as the ground can be deceptively thin with boiling water just beneath the surface. Additionally, pets are not allowed on most trails, in the backcountry, or in thermal areas to ensure both their safety and that of their owners.
This incident, the first thermal injury reported in Yellowstone in 2024, is currently under investigation. Park officials have not released further details at this time. Yellowstone urges visitors to adhere to all safety guidelines.
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