Teen suffers 'significant thermal burns' at Yellowstone National Park
Share and Follow


(NEXSTAR) Officials in Yellowstone National Park are reminding visitors to remain on boardwalks and trails around thermal areas after a teenager “suffered significant thermal burns” on Monday.

The 17-year-old was walking in the thermal area around Lone Star Geyser, near the park’s beloved Old Faithful, according to rangers, who say his foot then “broke through the thin crust.”

He was taken to an area hospital and suffered burns to his foot and ankle, the park said in a press release. They are now investigating the incident.

This marks the first reported thermal injury in Yellowstone this year, and the first in roughly 10 months.

In September, a 60-year-old New Hampshire woman broke through the thin crust of a thermal area and fell into scalding hot water, burning her leg, Nexstar’s KTVX reported. She had been walking her leashed dog with her husband off-trail in the park.

Yellowstone rangers said the boardwalks and trails throughout the park protect not only visitors who are capable of experiencing “severe or fatal burns” because of the scalding water below “most of the thin, breakable crust around hot springs” but also the “delicate thermal formations.”

“More than 20 people have died from burns suffered after they entered or fell into Yellowstone’s hot springs,” officials noted Tuesday, while reminding that swimming or soaking in the hot springs is prohibited. Pets are also not allowed in thermal areas.

This isn’t the first person to be injured at Yellowstone this year.

In May, a Florida man was gored by a bison. The same happened to a New Jersey man in June. In both cases, rangers say the men got too close to the animals.

Last summer, two people were reported to have been injured by bison in Yellowstone. There was only one reported in 2023.

The latter incident had a relatively happy ending, though. While the Arizona woman suffered fractured vertebrae and collapsed lungs after being gored, she later said “yes” to her boyfriend’s proposal at the hospital.

Also last summer, an Idaho man suffered minor injuries and was arrested on alcohol-related charges after allegedly kicking a bison at Yellowstone.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
$775 million Powerball: Winning numbers for Wednesday, Dec. 3

Find Out If Saturday’s $1.5 Billion Powerball Jackpot Has a Winner

WASHINGTON — The Powerball jackpot has skyrocketed to an impressive $1.5 billion,…
Moment shoplifter pulls out gun to shoot officer at point-blank range

Shocking Incident: Shoplifter Fires Gun at Officer at Point-Blank Range in Bold Daylight Crime

Chilling body camera footage reveals the intense moment when a bold shoplifter…
Jordan Love ruled out with concussion Packers injury nightmare

Packers’ Setback: Jordan Love’s Concussion Adds to Injury Woes

The Green Bay Packers aimed to seize the NFC North lead on…
Jesus Martinez charged with setting CTA Blue Line fire near Damen Blue Line stop in Wicker Park: Chicago Police Department

Chicago Police Department Charges Jesus Martinez in CTA Blue Line Arson Near Damen Station in Wicker Park

A man has been charged after allegedly igniting a fire on a…
FILE - An attendee asks Pearl Harbor survivor Ira

WWII Navy Veteran and Pearl Harbor Survivor, Ira ‘Ike’ Schab, Passes Away at 105

Ira “Ike” Schab, a distinguished World War II Navy veteran and one…
US seizes another vessel off the coast of Venezuela

Breaking News: U.S. Seizes Vessel Near Venezuela – What It Means for International Relations

The United States is actively engaged in seizing yet another oil tanker…
Power blackout leaves at least a third of San Francisco in darkness

Massive Power Outage Plunges One-Third of San Francisco into Darkness: What You Need to Know

A widespread blackout has plunged 130,000 homes and businesses into darkness throughout…
George Clooney mourns 'hero' sister Ada after her death at 65

Heartfelt Tribute: George Clooney Honors Beloved Sister Ada, Remembering Her Heroic Legacy at 65

George Clooney is grieving the loss of his older sister, Adelia “Ada”…