A 60-year-old woman from New Hampshire was seriously injured while walking in a thermal area at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. She broke through a thin crust over scalding water and suffered second and third-degree burns to her lower leg. Her husband and dog were not injured. They went to a park medical center and the woman was later transported to a hospital in Idaho for further treatment. This is the first known thermal injury in Yellowstone in 2024 and is under investigation by the National Park Service.
The park service reminded visitors to exercise extreme caution around hydrothermal areas, as the ground is fragile and there is scalding water just below the surface. Pets are also prohibited in these areas. In July, there was a hydrothermal explosion at Biscuit Basin in Yellowstone, just 2 miles north of the Old Faithful geyser. This explosion spewed steam, boiling water, mud, and rocks into the air, damaging a boardwalk and nearby thermal pools. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the park has closed Biscuit Basin for assessment.
Saman Shafiq, a trending news reporter for USA TODAY, reported on the incident. Visitors to Yellowstone are urged to stay on boardwalks and trails in hydrothermal areas and to exercise caution to prevent similar accidents.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com