David Alan Kirwan: Man Boiled Alive Trying to Rescue Dog from a Hot Spring
The Celestine Pool where 24 year old David Alan Kirwan died in 1981.
David Alan Kirwan was a 24 year old man who tied trying to save his friend’s dog, Moosie, from a hot spring at Yellowstone’s Fountain Paint Pot thermal area in Wyoming in 1981.
Who was David Kirwan?
David Kirwan before his untimely death in 1981. Photo: Find a Grave
According to his father, Kirwan, who was one of James and Colleen Kirwan's five children, enjoyed camping and outdoor activities. He was returning from a camping trip that had taken him to Northern California and Canada when the accident occurred.
David’s dad claimed that he had a very happy life, he loved traveling and was fortunate to have the opportunity to do so.
Kirwan, who was studying at Pasadena City College, also worked in construction and managed apartment complexes.
Standing at six feet tall, he was once the athlete of the year at La Canada High School, where he participated in track, basketball, and football. Kirwan lived at home with his family, who owned three dogs.
David’s mother said David was an animal lover and alway took great care of the dogs.
The Horrific Death of David Alan Kirwan
The headstone of David Alan Kirwan.
On a pleasant morning in July 20, 1981, David Alan Kirwan, a 24-year-old resident of La Cañada Flintridge, drove through Wyoming's Fountain Paint Pot thermal area in the company of his friend Ronald Ratliff and Ratliff's dog, a mixed-breed boxer named Moosie.
After arriving at their destination, they parked their truck and set out to explore the springs region.
Around lunchtime as they walked a short distance away from their truck, their dog Moosie suddenly escaped and ran towards the nearby Celestine Pool. This thermal spring always has a water temperature of over 200°F. Moosie jumped into the pool and immediately began yelping in agony.
When they saw their dog in trouble, they rushed over to the pool, and Kirwan seemed to be ready to jump into the hot spring to save it. Despite several people, including Ratliff, yelling at him not to do it, Kirwan was adamant and shouted, "Like hell I won't!" He took two steps into the pool and then dived headfirst into the boiling water.
Kirwan swam to the dog and attempted to bring it to shore, but he disappeared underwater after letting go of the animal.
When he tried to climb out of the spring, Ratliff helped pull him out, resulting in severe burns to his feet.
Bystanders carried Kirwan to a nearby open area and tried to comfort him until the ambulance arrived. At that time, he was reportedly muttering, "That was stupid. How bad am I? That was a stupid thing I did."
Kirwan appeared to be in a terrible state. His eyes were blind and had turned white, and his hair was falling out. When a park visitor attempted to remove one of his shoes, the skin came off with it as it had already started to peel off all over his body.
Kirwan suffered third-degree burns on 100% of his body. Despite spending several agonizing hours, Kirwan passed away the following morning at a Salt Lake City hospital. Unfortunately, Moosie also perished, and her body was never found.
David Kirwan was buried at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills. His headstone reads:
David Alan Kirwan
1956 - 1981
Loving Son, Brother
Friend
Forever Young
Always In Our Hearts
You were a hero David. Rest in peace.
A video telling the story of David Alan Kirwan’s death at Yellowstone
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