A man attempting to ‘hot pot’ fell into a Yellowstone hot spring and completely dissolved within a day.
Yellowstone National Park is a recreation area based mostly in Wyoming, with parts spreading into Montana and Idaho.
Each year, it’s estimated that three million people visit the picturesque spot.
Yet the site is also known for being hazardous and over the years there have been numerous tragedies, including the unfortunate fate of Colin Scott.
Colin, of Portland, Oregon, visited Yellowstone alongside his sister in June 2016. The 23-year-old and his sibling were reportedly hiking through a prohibited area of the park.
The area where the tragedy took place is on the edge of the famous Yellowstone caldera, also known as a ‘supervolcano’ or ‘hotspot’.
Warning signs are posted throughout the area to direct visitors to keep on the boardwalk.
Deputy Chief Ranger Lorant Veress told local news station KULR-TV (via The Guardian): “[They] were specifically moving in that area for a place that they could potentially get into and soak.”
‘Hot potting’ is the practice of soaking in natural hot springs – the deeper the rocks are, the hotter the temperature will be.
“There’s a big difference between warm springs and hot springs, and you can’t necessarily tell the difference just by looking. In fact, hot springs can appear deceptively cool,” Healthline warns.
Colin would fall into a scalding pool before the siblings found the perfect spot – his sister had reportedly been recording their journey.
The report into the tragedy states: “The smartphone recorded the moment he slipped and fell into the pool and her efforts to rescue him.”
As she had no phone signal, Colin’s sister ran to a nearby museum and raised the alarm, however, it was sadly too late.
The park’s website explains that many of the hot springs in the area are at or greater than 199 degrees.
When park officials arrived at the spot, Colin’s head, upper torso and hands were reportedly visible in the azure blue water.
US park ranger Phil Strehle wrote in a separate report: “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.”
Rescuers were unable to safely recover Colin’s body due to the ‘volatile’ thermal area and incoming lightning storm.
When officials returned the following morning, the 23-year-old’s body was no longer visible. His wallet and flip-flops would be recovered.
“In a very short order, 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 not shared footage of the tragedy, or a description of its content, out of respect to Colin’s family.
Park Superintendent Dan Wenk said in a statement: “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.”