Oklahoma man dies after running into fire at Burning Man
A man who grew up in McAlester, Oklahoma, has died from injuries suffered running into a fire at Burning Man.
Aaron Joel Mitchell, 41, died Sunday morning after he broke through layers of security officers during the Man Burn event — in which a giant, wooden effigy is set on fire — Saturday night, according to reports.
Mitchell was pronounced dead at 6:28 a.m. Sunday after being flown to the UC Davis hospital burn center in California, according to reports.
Burning Man officials said Mitchell ran to the fire, dodged safety rangers and firemen before diving into the flames at the event, reports say.
Reports state Mitchell ran toward the fire around 10:30 p.m. Saturday during the art festival’s climax, as a 40-foot wooden statue was set on fire.
The Pershing County, Nevada, Sheriff said rescue efforts on Sunday night were hindered after part of “the Man” fell at the time rescuers were trying to retrieve Mitchell from the debris, according to reports.
Mitchell’s death is still under investigation and it is still unclear if he was running into the fire or tripped into it while trying to avoid security, reports say.
Burning Man canceled scheduled burns through noon Sunday before proceeding with the scheduled Temple burn at 8 p.m.
Burning Man co-founder Crimson Rose said federal officials wanted Burning Man to cancel the Temple burn, the ceremonial finish to the weeklong festival of 70,000 people in the Nevada desert, reports state.
He was not under the influence of alcohol and a toxicology screening is pending, reports say.
Security rangers at the event were told in advance that three types of people likely to run in the fire include people trying to get attention, people on drugs or intoxicated, and the suicidal, according to reports.
“We don’t know if it was intentional on his part or if it was just kind of induced by drugs. We’re not sure of that yet,” Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen said.
Mitchell was living in Switzerland with his wife but came to the U.S. for this festival.
Organizers of the festival said in a statement: “Now is a time for closeness, contact and community. Trauma needs processing. Promote calls, hugs, self-care, check-ins, and sleep.”
According to reports, investigators are having a difficult time getting information as people come and go from the festival.
More information will be released as the investigation continues.
Gregory writes for the McAlester, Oklahoma News-Capital.
McAlester man dies after running into fire at Burning Man
A man who grew up in McAlester has died from injuries suffered running into a fire at Burning Man.
Aaron Joel Mitchell, 41, died Sunday morning after he broke through layers of security officers during the Man Burn event — in which a giant, wooden effigy is set on fire — Saturday night, according to reports.
Mitchell was pronounced dead at 6:28 a.m. Sunday after being flown to the UC Davis hospital burn center in California, according to reports.
Burning Man officials said Mitchell ran to the fire, dodged safety rangers and firemen before diving into the flames at the event, reports say.
Reports state Mitchell ran toward the fire around 10:30 p.m. Saturday during the art festival’s climax, as a 40-foot wooden statue was set on fire.
The Pershing County (Nev.) Sheriff said rescue efforts on Sunday night were hindered after part of “the Man” fell at the time rescuers were trying to retrieve Mitchell from the debris, according to reports.
Mitchell’s death is still under investigation and it is still unclear if he was running into the fire or tripped into it while trying to avoid security, reports say.
Burning Man canceled scheduled burns through noon Sunday before proceeding with the scheduled Temple burn at 8 p.m.
Burning Man co-founder Crimson Rose said federal officials wanted Burning Man to cancel the Temple burn, the ceremonial finish to the weeklong festival of 70,000 people in the Nevada desert, reports state.
He was not under the influence of alcohol and a toxicology screening is pending, reports say.
Security rangers at the event were told in advance that three types of people likely to run in the fire include people trying to get attention, people on drugs or intoxicated, and the suicidal, according to reports.
“We don’t know if it was intentional on his part or if it was just kind of induced by drugs. We’re not sure of that yet,” Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen said.
Mitchell was living in Switzerland with his wife but came to the U.S. for this festival.
Organizers of the festival said in a statement: “Now is a time for closeness, contact and community. Trauma needs processing. Promote calls, hugs, self-care, check-ins, and sleep.”
According to reports, investigators are having a difficult time getting information as people come and go from the festival.
More information will be released as the investigation continues.
Contact Allyson Gregory at agregory@mcalesternews.com
McAlester man dies after running into fire at Burning Man
A man who grew up in McAlester has died from injuries suffered running into a fire at Burning Man.
Aaron Joel Mitchell, 41, died Sunday morning after he broke through layers of security officers during the Man Burn event — in which a giant, wooden effigy is set on fire — Saturday night, according to reports.
Mitchell was pronounced dead at 6:28 a.m. Sunday after being flown to the UC Davis hospital burn center in California, according to reports.
Burning Man officials said Mitchell ran to the fire, dodged safety rangers and firemen before diving into the flames at the event, reports say.
Reports state Mitchell ran toward the fire around 10:30 p.m. Saturday during the art festival’s climax, as a 40-foot wooden statue was set on fire.
The Pershing County (Nev.) Sheriff said rescue efforts on Sunday night were hindered after part of “the Man” fell at the time rescuers were trying to retrieve Mitchell from the debris, according to reports.
Mitchell’s death is still under investigation and it is still unclear if he was running into the fire or tripped into it while trying to avoid security, reports say.
Burning Man canceled scheduled burns through noon Sunday before proceeding with the scheduled Temple burn at 8 p.m.
Burning Man co-founder Crimson Rose said federal officials wanted Burning Man to cancel the Temple burn, the ceremonial finish to the weeklong festival of 70,000 people in the Nevada desert, reports state.
He was not under the influence of alcohol and a toxicology screening is pending, reports say.
Security rangers at the event were told in advance that three types of people likely to run in the fire include people trying to get attention, people on drugs or intoxicated, and the suicidal, according to reports.
“We don’t know if it was intentional on his part or if it was just kind of induced by drugs. We’re not sure of that yet,” Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen said.
Mitchell was living in Switzerland with his wife but came to the U.S. for this festival.
Organizers of the festival said in a statement: “Now is a time for closeness, contact and community. Trauma needs processing. Promote calls, hugs, self-care, check-ins, and sleep.”
According to reports, investigators are having a difficult time getting information as people come and go from the festival.
More information will be released as the investigation continues.
Contact Allyson Gregory at agregory@mcalesternews.com
McAlester man dies after running into fire at Burning Man
A man who grew up in McAlester has died from injuries suffered running into a fire at Burning Man.
Aaron Joel Mitchell, 41, died Sunday morning after he broke through layers of security officers during the Man Burn event — in which a giant, wooden effigy is set on fire — Saturday night, according to reports.
Mitchell was pronounced dead at 6:28 a.m. Sunday after being flown to the UC Davis hospital burn center in California, according to reports.
Burning Man officials said Mitchell ran to the fire, dodged safety rangers and firemen before diving into the flames at the event, reports say.
Reports state Mitchell ran toward the fire around 10:30 p.m. Saturday during the art festival’s climax, as a 40-foot wooden statue was set on fire.
The Pershing County (Nev.) Sheriff said rescue efforts on Sunday night were hindered after part of “the Man” fell at the time rescuers were trying to retrieve Mitchell from the debris, according to reports.
Mitchell’s death is still under investigation and it is still unclear if he was running into the fire or tripped into it while trying to avoid security, reports say.
Burning Man canceled scheduled burns through noon Sunday before proceeding with the scheduled Temple burn at 8 p.m.
Burning Man co-founder Crimson Rose said federal officials wanted Burning Man to cancel the Temple burn, the ceremonial finish to the weeklong festival of 70,000 people in the Nevada desert, reports state.
He was not under the influence of alcohol and a toxicology screening is pending, reports say.
Security rangers at the event were told in advance that three types of people likely to run in the fire include people trying to get attention, people on drugs or intoxicated, and the suicidal, according to reports.
“We don’t know if it was intentional on his part or if it was just kind of induced by drugs. We’re not sure of that yet,” Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen said.
Mitchell was living in Switzerland with his wife but came to the U.S. for this festival.
Organizers of the festival said in a statement: “Now is a time for closeness, contact and community. Trauma needs processing. Promote calls, hugs, self-care, check-ins, and sleep.”
According to reports, investigators are having a difficult time getting information as people come and go from the festival.
More information will be released as the investigation continues.
Contact Allyson Gregory at agregory@mcalesternews.com