Surrounded by hot springs that empty into the cold water, giving recreationists plenty of warm water, the Firehole River is a popular swimming hole for employees of Yellowstone National Park.
But an evening of fun at the river turned tragic late Monday when one woman was killed and two Utah men severely scalded in one of the hot springs.
Sarah Hulphers, 20, Oroville, Wash., died. The two survivors were in critical but stable condition Wednesday morning at the Intermountain Burn Trauma Unit at the University of Utah Medical Center. Dr. Jeffry Saffle, director of the burn unit, said both Lance Buchi, 18, Sandy, and Tyler Montague, 18, Salt Lake City, had burns over 95 percent of their bodies.
Saffle said even though the teens are in stable condition, they still only have a 30- to 40-percent chance of surviving.
"They're not out of the woods yet," Saffle said.
The biggest concern now is infection, Saffle said. He said both patients will be back in surgery Thursday. One of the toughest challenges for doctors is neither patient has much skin left that can be used for a graft.
On the Montagues' home answering machine Wednesday morning, there was a message from Chris Montague, Tyler's father, telling callers that Tyler had a strong heartbeat. He is on a ventilator, and doctors will purposely keep him unconscious for the next 48 hours, which is considered a critical stage in his recovery. The message also said Montague's lungs were clear, his kidneys were working and he had adequate blood pressure.
"He's holding his own," Chris Montague said. The message also said family members are encouraged by his condition and are holding out hope that he can hear them when they talk to him.
Montague's grandfather is former KSL-TV weatherman Bob Welti, who was at the hospital after the patients arrived.
"I think the saddest thing I've ever seen in my whole life is that girl who died," Welti said. "It was tragic to see."
Welti said both Montague and Buchi were able to keep their heads out of the water, which can reach temperatures of 190 degrees. He said doctors told family members if this accident had happened 20 years ago, Montague wouldn't have any chance of surviving.
"It's going to be a long hard road to recovery," Welti said.
Montague is a graduate of East High School. Welti said his grandson excelled in writing and debate.
Buchi is a graduate of Skyline High School. Friends and teachers said he was very polite but always stood up for issues that were important to him, such as the environment.
"I enjoyed his uniqueness. It was very refreshing," said Deb Bennett, Buchi's health teacher last year.
The victims were park employees. They worked for Amfac Parks and Resorts, the park's concessionaire. Hulphers and Buchi worked at the Old Faithful Inn as a server and room attendant. Montague worked on the kitchen crew in the Old Faithful Lodge.
Yellowstone officials said the trio were swimming in the river with five others Monday night. They became separated from the group while walking back in the dark through the Lower Geyser Basin, the area of the park that has Old Faithful.
The rest of the group were walking ahead of the trio. They were walking through a hot springs area that park officials said does not have a trail, only a worn path used by employees. No one in the group had a flashlight. The rest of the group turned back after hearing their three friends cry for help. The two men somehow managed to pull themselves out of Cavern Springs, which is about 10 feet deep, 10 to 15 feet wide and 18 feet long.
Park spokeswoman Cheryl Matthews said there are no signs of alcohol involved.
Saffle said from what he could determine from talking to Montague and Buchi, the trio just jumped into the hot spring believing it was cold water.
Counselors were at the park Tuesday and Wednesday to help employees. This is the first time someone has died due to injuries sustained in a hot springs in Yellowstone since 1988.
The victims were taken by ambulance to the West Yellowstone airport where they were flown to Idaho Falls. From there, they were flown to the U. burn center.
A spokeswoman at the burn center said the entire nursing staff is devastated by the accident.
Saffer said if Montague and Buchi survive, they face 15 to 20 more surgeries over the next two years. They will be in the hospital for a minimum of three months.
Contributing: Jennifer Toomer Cook.
E-mail: preavy@desnews.com