Colin Nathaniel Scott, 23, tragically lost his life at Yellowstone National Park after falling into one of its deadly thermal hot springs. He and his sister had strayed from the safety of designated boardwalks in the Norris Geyser Basin, aiming to experience the illegal “hot potting” activity of bathing in the hot springs.
While filming, Colin slipped as he tried to test the water temperature, plunging into the spring with surface temperatures near boiling point—over 199°F (93°C) and even hotter below. His sister recorded the moment and desperately tried to rescue him but had to leave to find help due to a lack of cellphone service.
Park rescuers could initially see parts of his body but were forced to retreat as a thunderstorm approached. By the next day, the acidic water had dissolved almost all of his remains, leaving only personal items behind.
This tragedy highlights the extreme danger of Yellowstone’s geothermal features and the importance of staying on marked paths.
