Fully submerged vehicle removed from thermal feature in Yellowstone National Park - NPS

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NEWS RELEASE

Fully submerged vehicle removed from thermal feature in Yellowstone National Park

Vehicle occupants are safe with non-life-threatening injuries

A crew of emergency personal retrieve a car underwater in a thermal feature.
Crews work to lift car out of the Semi-Centennial Geyser

NPS


News Release Date: July 12, 2024

Contact: Morgan Warthin, (307) 344-2015

  • On Thursday, July 11 at about 10:40 a.m. a car with five occupants inadvertently drove off the roadway and into the Semi-Centennial Geyser thermal feature near Roaring Mountain between Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Junction in Yellowstone National Park.  

  • All five occupants exited the vehicle on their own, and each individual was transported via ambulance to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  

  • Today, July 12, law enforcement rangers temporarily closed both lanes of the roadway near the accident in order to safely lift the car out of the thermal feature (see photo).  

  • The vehicle was fully submerged in about nine feet of water. 

  • The Semi-Centennial Geyser thermal feature has acidic and hot surface water temperatures (ranging around 105 degrees Fahrenheit). 

  • After being closed for about two hours, the roadway reopened.  

  • Yellowstone National Park would like to thank Hanser’s Automotive; US Water Rescue Dive Team; HK, Contractors; Resource Technologies Incorporated and Yellowstone Park Service Stations for their collective expertise and professionalism in removing the car from the thermal feature in such an expeditious manner.  

  • This incident is under investigation and the park has no additional details to provide at this time.  

  • Stay informed about current road conditions, temporary closures and traffic delays: 

  • Visit Park Roads. 

  • Call (307) 344-2117 for recorded information. 

  • Receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting "82190" to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions).