Laiha Slayton: Ohio woman suffers 90% burns trying to save puppy in thermal spring
A 20-year-old woman from Delaware, Ohio, has suffered third-degree burns on her body and is currently in a comatose state after she tried to save her puppy at a thermal spring in Yellowstone. Laiha Marie Slayton worked as a dental assistant prior to the tragic accident. Presently, she is undergoing treatment at the hospital and will require further surgery in the coming weeks. She would also remain in a medically-induced coma for the next two weeks at least. Her sister Kamilla Jo Slayton, who has been providing regular updates on her health, revealed that Laiha's palms are "completely gone."
Laiha and her father Woodraw Slayton had visited the Yellowstone National Park with her dogs Rusty and Chevy on Tuesday, October 5, 2021. The two pet shih tzus were roaming around while Laiha was trying to find their leashes in the car. Rusty suddenly got his foot burned in a geyser near the Maiden's Grave Spring and accidentally fell into the 190°F thermal spring. Without thinking, Laiha herself jumped into the spring to save her one-year-old dog. She suffered severe burns all over her body and was eventually rescued by her father.
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Yellowstone National Park officials shared about the incident and issued a warning to the visitors, urging them to "stay away" from the thermal springs.
"The ground in hydrothermal areas is fragile and thin, and there is scalding water just below the surface. Everyone must remain on boardwalks and trails and exercise extreme caution around thermal features. While in the park, protect your pets by physically controlling them at all times. Pets must be in a car, crate or on a leash no more than six feet long. They are not allowed on boardwalks, hiking trails, in the backcountry, or in thermal areas," the post read.
Unfortunately, Laiha's dog Rusty failed to survive due to the severity of his injuries. Meanwhile, Laiha's father also suffered a burn in his foot. Despite his injury, he rushed Laiha to West Yellowstone, Montana to seek medical help from where she was flown to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. Presently, she is being treated there at a burn unit.
Laiha's sister Kamilla has started a GoFundMe page to raise contributions for her prolonged medical expenses as well as to arrange cremation services for Rusty. At the time of writing this, the campaign raised $26,670 out of its $45,000 goal.
Describing the incident, Kamilla wrote, "Hey my name is kami and I’m trying to help my sister who had a horrific accident. She and dad were visiting the Yellow Stone Geysers and her puppy got away. He got burnt by hot water, freaked out and ended up running into a geyser. Laiha jumped in the 190F geyser to save her puppy, and while my dad was pulling her out he burnt his foot. The vet bill, my sister, dads medical expenses are something that my family can’t afford right now. Not only that, but my parents have to stay out of state for a few weeks to a month depending on her recovery. They will need help with food and lodging, and cremation services for her puppy. She had to be life flighted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. My sisters palms are completely gone and will have to go into surgery and possibly for the rest of her body too. She is in a medically induced coma for 2 weeks, had emergency surgery, and (UPDATE) Laiha has burns on 91% of her body it’s about 50/50 3rd degree burns and 2nd degree burns. She will be under for 2-3 weeks and probably be in the hospital for a few months. I will keep updates on my Instagram @kamijoslayton as I get info, if you are interested in following with her recovery. Anything helps, especially preyer, and sharing this. please please please help my family and pray for us❤️"
Laiha happens to be the second person to get severely burned at a Yellowstone thermal spring in recent weeks. A similar accident happened with a 19-year-old Rhode Island woman on September 16. An employee at the National Park itself, she fell into the famous Old Faithful geyser and suffered second and third-degree burns.