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New York Times
11-07-2025
- Health
- New York Times
Physical Therapist Dies Inside Hyperbaric Chamber After It Catches Fire
A 43-year-old physical therapist was found dead on Wednesday inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber at his health clinic in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., after the device caught on fire, according to officials. The Lake Havasu City Fire Department said in a statement on Thursday that fire and police personnel were dispatched to Havasu Health and Hyperbarics on Wednesday at 10:50 p.m. local time after receiving a 911 call about a burn victim. When they arrived, they found the building was filled with smoke and an intact hyperbaric chamber appeared to have had a flash fire while a person was inside. The man was pronounced dead at the scene and identified as Walter Foxtrot. He was the owner of the clinic, according to a LinkedIn page in his name. No one else was injured. The Lake Havasu City Fire and Police Departments said on Friday that they were still investigating the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding Mr. Foxtrot's death. It was not clear why Mr. Foxtrot was in the chamber. The clinic did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Physical therapist dies in nightmarish freak accident after his own hyperbaric chamber caught fire
An Arizona physical therapist has died after the hyperbaric chamber at his clinic erupted into flames while he was inside it. Dr Walter Foxcroft, 43, was killed Wednesday after a flash fire broke out inside his Havasu Health and Hyperbarics clinic just before 11pm. The doctor's scorched body was found inside an oxygen therapy machine at his clinic, according to the Lake Havasu City Fire Department. No other injuries were reported in the incident. A flash fire is a rapidly-spreading blaze that breaks out when a cloud of flammable gas, vapor or dust ignites and causes a fast-moving flame. Hyperbaric chambers - sealed enclosures where barometric pressure is controlled by increasing air or oxygen - are highly flammable due to the high concentration of oxygen they contain. Firefighters determined the facility was ventilated and checked for other flammable hazards before turning the case over to police and fire investigations. The cause of the fatal fire remains under investigation. Crews were called to Foxcroft's clinic in Lake Havasu City, near the Arizona- California border, at 10.50pm for reports of a person trapped inside a burning hyperbaric chamber. By the time they arrived on scene, the building was already filled with smoke and flames were raging inside the oxygen treatment chamber. Foxcroft was pronounced dead at the scene. It is unclear why he was inside the chamber so late at night. The late doctor was a board-certified physical therapist with 27 years experience in the healthcare field, according to his clinic. He was certified in hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which is used to treat a variety of health conditions including decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning and non-healing wounds. He was also trained in neurofeedback, photobiomodulation and spine mobilization. Foxcroft earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Touro University Nevada in 2012, his LinkedIn profile states. He founded his Havasu Health and Hyperbarics clinic just last year, which was the first-ever integrative naturopathic hyperbaric oxygen therapy center in the state, KARK reported at the time. The practice will be closed until further notice while authorities investigate the blaze. Before studying to become a physical therapist, Foxcroft attended the University of Arizona, graduating in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Physiological Sciences. During his time at the university, he performed as the school mascot Wilbur T. Wildcat. Arizona Cheerleaders & Mascots, in a heartfelt Instagram post, paid tribute to Foxcroft, saying: 'Wally was an unforgettable presence on the sidelines - an energetic, charismatic performer known for his signature moonwalk and passion for bringing joy to Arizona fans. 'He proudly returned for Homecoming, reconnecting with current mascots and sharing his spontaneous spirit as Wilbur with all of us.' The team continued: 'Wally's dedication to uplifting others - through performance, healing, and innovation - will never be forgotten. Thank you, Wilbur, for the spirit, the showmanship, and the legacy you leave behind.' After his stint as Wilbur, Foxcroft served as the mascot for the Arizona Cardinals and joined the team at Super Bowl XLIII in 2006. He then returned to school to pursue physical therapy.
The Sun
11-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Therapist, 43, burns alive trapped in oxygen tank that turned into fiery coffin after flash fire erupted at his practice
DEADLY BLAZE Therapist, 43, burns alive trapped in oxygen tank that turned into fiery coffin after flash fire erupted at his practice A PHYSICAL therapist has been found dead after getting burned alive inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber at his own practice. Dr Walter Foxcroft, 43, was killed when a flash fire ignited in the therapy machine - transforming it into a blazing coffin. 2 A physical therapist died inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber 2 Dr Walter Foxcroft, 43, was killed when a flash fire ignited in the therapy machine The physical therapist's remains were discovered by firefighters who scrambled to his practice, Havasu Health and Hyperbarics, after receiving a report of a blaze there at around 11pm on Wednesday. Upon arrival, emergency services witnessed thick smoke billowing through the building. They soon came across the tragic scene, with the hyperbaric chamber on fire with Dr Foxcroft inside, officials said. His charred remains were recovered from the oxygen machine, and he was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. read more news 'MURDER' PROBE Paddleboarder found dead after vanishing as hunt for 'killer' launched No other injuries were reported, the fire department added. Hyperbaric chambers are sealed enclosures where air pressure and oxygen levels inside are controlled. They're often used for patients' physical and mental health. The machines are thought to help with anything between cognition and dementia to physical ageing, Havasu Health and Hyperbarics's website says. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
