Yellowstone tourist fighting for life after falling into 100C thermal pools at Old Faithful geyser while ‘walking at night without a flashlight’
A TOURIST visiting Yellowstone National Park has been hospitalised with severe burns after tripping and falling into one of the thermal pools at Old Faithful geyser at night.
Cade Edmond Siemers told park rangers he had gone for a walk off the boardwalk without a flashlight on September 29.
While in the dark, he tripped over and fell into one of the thermal pools near the Old Faithful geyser, where water temperatures can reach 100C.
The 48-year-old, who was staying at the Old Faithful Inn, managed to get himself back to his hotel despite his injuries.
He was met by park rangers at midnight and treated by paramedics at the hotel.
Cade, who's a US citizen living in India, was then taken to the Burn Center at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center where he's currently being treated.
A hospital spokesperson that Cade was in critical condition and was unavailable to provide any comments.
The unfortunate visitor could now face prosecution as well as the geyser is in a protected area.
In an , the National Parks Service (NPS) said that they had "detected evidence of alcohol use".
Park rangers had gone to investigate the thermal area the next morning, where they discovered Cade's shoe, a hat and a beer can near the geyser.
They also said that there were footprints going to and from the geyser as well as blood on the boardwalk.
The NPS are also investigating any damage to the geyser.
The results of the investigation will be sent on to the US Attorney’s Office, where they will decide whether or not to prosecute Cade.
The NPS added: "The ground in hydrothermal areas is fragile and thin, and there is scalding water just below the surface.
"Visitors must always remain on boardwalks and exercise extreme caution around thermal features. "
This is the first serious injury in a thermal area in two years according to the NPS.
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The last time was in June 2017, when a man fell into a hot spring at Lower Geyser Basin and suffered severe burns.
But in June 2016, a visitor died after slipping into a hot spring at Norris Geyser Basin.
Earlier this month, two tourists risked death by standing over Old Faithful geyser.
The visitors are now facing charges of "thermal trespassing".