David jumped into the boiling water to save the dog (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
A man suffered what is considered to be one of the “worst deaths imaginable” after he plunged into a scalding thermal lake in a bid to rescue his friend’s dog.
He would subsequently die in hospital from the severity of his burns just a day later.
David Alan Kirwan dived headfirst into the thermal spring to save his friend’s dog, Moosie, who had also leapt in to swim in the waters.
In a truly heroic act, Kirwan disregarded all warnings regarding the dangers of the spring and threw himself in to save her.
Tragically, however, his efforts ultimately proved futile, as Moosie was never recovered — neither by Kirwan himself nor by investigators in the days that followed, reports the Daily Star.
Kirwan suffered catastrophic burns as a result of the dive, enduring horrifying injuries before his death.
Back in 1981, Kirwan was making his way through the spectacular natural landscapes of Yellowstone National Park. He had been exploring the park alongside close friend Ronald Ratliff and his dog, Moosie, according to JOE.
What was intended to be a leisurely stroll through the breathtaking national park quickly descended into a nightmare as the group passed the Celestine Spring, a notorious thermal spring within the park.
With temperatures in the spring soaring well above 200°F (93°C), it is widely regarded as an extremely hazardous body of water, drawing intense heat directly from the Earth’s core.
David Alan Kirwan died one day later (Image: undefined)
Moosie, clearly enticed by the pool of water, leapt into the hot spring, leaving Ronald and David frantically scrambling over what to do next.
David quickly decided they had to rescue the dog and leapt into the spring to save Moosie, who was a mixed-breed boxer.
He plunged headfirst into the scorching water of the spring, immediately feeling the devastating effects of the near-boiling temperatures.
The 24-year-old struggled to keep himself steady as he swam towards the dog, but soon disappeared beneath the surface as he attempted to bring the animal to safety.
Ronald desperately attempted to pull David from the water, eventually managing to drag him to the bank. However, Ronald himself sustained serious second-degree burns to his feet in the process.
Yet David, who had plunged directly into the scalding water, suffered far more grievous injuries than his companion. The extreme heat had caused David’s skin to dissolve, and when a park ranger attempted to remove his shoe, his skin peeled away with it.
The tragedy took place at Yellowstone National Park (Image: AP)
The ordeal had also left David completely blind, as a visibly stricken Kirwan cried out in agony. He could be heard asking: “That was stupid. How bad am I? That was a stupid thing I did.”
He was rushed to a hospital in nearby Salt Lake City, where medical staff discovered third-degree burns covering his entire body. David fought desperately for survival but succumbed to his injuries the following day.
In a heartbreaking tribute to his son, father James Kirwan described David as a kind and caring person. He explained: “He liked dogs and when the dog went in, his friend told him not to go in after her, but David went in.”
