A man has likely died at Yellowstone National Park after falling into a hot spring at Norris Geyser Basin on Tuesday, according to a news release from the park.

"At this time, rangers are treating this incident as a probable fatality because the victim has not been located," according to the news release.

A witness reported seeing the man in his early 20s walk away from the boardwalk. The location of the incident is about 225 yards off the boardwalk.

Rangers are using extreme caution as they respond given the hazards of the thermal area.

Thermal springs can reach temperatures upwards of 200 degrees Fahrenheit. A household water heater is usually set for about 120 degrees.

The Norris Geyser Basin is been closed.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information will be available this evening.
The park will provide information when it becomes available Wednesday.

This incident marks the latest in a series of dangerous or foolish events at the park so far this year:

  • In mid-April, a video recording showed a woman trying to pet a bison near the Old Faithful Lodge.
  • On May 9, a man from Quebec picked up a bison calf because he thought it was cold. After an unsuccessful attempt to reunite the calf with its herd, the bison was euthanized. The man pleaded guilty to a wildlife violation last week in federal court.
  • On May 14, four men from Canada left the boardwalk at the Grand Prismatic Spring and video recorded themselves walking on the delicate bacterial mat for a promotional video for their clothing company High on Life. They each have been charged with two misdemeanors in federal court. They have hired a Laramie attorney, but have yet to return to the United States to face prosecution.

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