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Topics: US News
Poppy Bilderbeck
A man from Oregon passed away after falling into a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park and a report detailed his final moments.
On June 7, 2016, Colin and his sister Sable Scott were hiking through Yellowstone national park in the US when the 23-year-old 'slipped' into one of the hot springs.
Despite 'swimming or soaking in hot springs' being 'prohibited' as stated by Yellowstone National Park's website, it's reported Colin and Sable 'intentionally' walked off one of the boardwalks visitors are instructed to stick to.
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The National Park Service's report on the incident states the pair walked off Norris Geyser Basin's boardwalk and that's when Colin then fell into one of the park's hot springs and 'did not get out', as quoted by The Guardian.
Sable is said to have been recording the pair on her smartphone at the time of the incident and the camera captured the moment Colin 'slipped and fell' into the pool alongside the sister's 'efforts to rescue him'.
However, with no cellphone service in that area of the park, she was forced to leave her brother and go to a nearby museum for help.
Unfortunately, by the time park officials arrived, Colin was only visible from the chest upwards, his hands also sticking out of the hot spring.
US park ranger Phil Strehle reported that Colin's t-shirt was visible and 'what appeared to be a cross [...] resting on the subject's face' but 'due to the report of the individual not previously visible, a lack of movement, suspected extreme temperatures, and indications of several thermal burns, the subject was determined to be deceased'.
As a result of the 'volatile' nature of the area, Colin's body was deemed unrecoverable by rescuers.
When officials returned the next day, his body couldn't be seen and the report resolved the 'consensus among the rescue/recovery team [...] was that the extreme heat of the hot spring, coupled with its acidic nature, dissolved the remains'.
Yellowstone's website notes: "Hot springs have injured or killed more people in Yellowstone than any other natural feature."
Park Superintendent Dan Wenk said in the statement at the time: "We extend our sympathy to the Scott family. This tragic event must remind all of us to follow the regulations and stay on boardwalks when visiting Yellowstone’s geyser basins."
The recording of Colin's final moments on his sister's phone was secured by authorities and has never been released out of respect for his family.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.