The loss of any life is tragic but at times, we may hear about someone who dies in a way that leaves us wondering how it possibly could’ve happened. That is what happened when a man fell into a hot spring in Yellowstone and lost his life.

23-year-old Colin Scott was visiting Yellowstone National Park with his sister from Portland when he lost his life. They were on a walk, looking for a place to soak in the natural thermal hot Springs, something known as hot potting.

It was supposed to be an enjoyable time but unfortunately, he would lose his life tragically. According to his sister, they had left the boardwalk near the Pork Chop Geiser when he reached down to check the temperature in one of the pools. Unfortunately, he slipped and fell into the scalding water.

He was found later by authorities. His body was floating on the surface of the pool when they were able to recover it. His sister captured what happened on her phone but the authorities are not releasing the video or describing the contents because it is too graphic.

Deputy Chief Ranger Lorant Veress said that the area where they were visiting, the Norris Geyser basin was very dangerous. Acidic, boiling waters are included in the area. They close it off to keep people from getting into the water to protect them and the resources at the park.

Unfortunately, the two had left the boardwalk and walked a few hundred feet up a hill, moving into an area where they could get in and soak. The temperatures in that hot spring were up to 400°, which could dissolve flesh from the body. The Ranger even reported that a significant amount of dissolving did take place.

Over the years, over 20 people have been killed in the geothermal poles, geysers, and hot Springs at the park. Considering how many people go to the park every year, those are relatively small numbers.