Just a week after a tourist died in a geyser at Yellowstone National Park after leaving the park’s designated boardwalk, officials say they fined another visitor for straying out of bounds in an attempt to collect water from the volatile, dangerous hot springs.
National Park Service officials say a witness reported seeing a man walk through the terrace formations near Libert Cap, and collect thermal water, breaking the fragile crust on Tuesday in the Mammoth Hot Springs area. The witness also took photos.
The man, a tourist from China, admitted to rangers that he’d left the path and taken the water. He said he hadn’t read the safety information provided to him at the park’s entrance.
He’s now on the hook to the tune of a $1,000 fine, which is a lot better than what could have happened.
“Hot springs have injured or killed more people in Yellowstone than any other natural feature,” the park website says. “Keep your children close and make sure they understand the danger posed by boiling water.”
Park officials are no doubt ramping up safety efforts after a 23-year-old man slipped and fell into a hot spring on June 7. No human remains were recovered.
by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist
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