New Hampshire Woman Burns Leg in Yellowstone

A 60-year-old woman from New Hampshire suffered severe second- and third-degree burns on her leg after falling into scalding water while hiking off-trail near Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park. The incident occurred when she broke through a thin crust over the hot water near the Mallard Lake Trailhead, and she was subsequently airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for treatment. Fortunately, her husband and their dog were unharmed. This event marks the first known thermal injury in the park for 2024, which has seen 3.5 million visitors so far this year. Park officials have reiterated the importance of staying on designated trails and boardwalks in hydrothermal areas due to the fragile ground and the presence of boiling water just below the surface. The incident is currently under investigation, and the woman's identity has not been disclosed.