Colin Scott’s adventurous choice to stray off trail led to a deadly fall into Yellowstone’s Norris Geyser Basin hot spring in 2016. The spring’s surface water can reach nearly 200°F, with steam and extreme acidity, which caused fatal thermal burns.
Captured on his sister’s cell phone, Scott’s fall was followed by frantic efforts making contact and summoning help. Due to lack of mobile service and severe weather, rescuers couldn’t recover his body, which was later mostly dissolved by the spring’s chemical properties.
Visitor safety officials stress this death is a stark reminder of the perils inherent to Yellowstone’s geothermal areas, urging visitors to obey warnings.
