Latest news with #WalterFoxcroft
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Arizona therapist dies after hyperbaric oxygen chamber catches fire
A physical therapist in Arizona died after receiving burns from a flash fire inside a hyperbaric chamber. Walter Foxcroft, 43, was found dead inside a hyperbaric chamber by first responders at his medical facility, Navasu Health and Hyperbarics, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, around 11 p.m. local time on July 9, officials said. The Lake Havasu City Fire Department said in a July 10 statement that it was dispatched along with the Lake Havasu City Police Department to respond to a report of a burn-related medical emergency. Foxcroft was pronounced dead at the scene, the statement said, after an apparent flash fire occurred in the chamber while the physical therapist was inside. Hyperbaric chambers are pressurized cylinders that administer high-pressure oxygen therapy. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the therapy treatment involves breathing 100% oxygen while inside the chamber, where increased air pressure helps the lungs collect more oxygen. More: What is a hyperbaric chamber? What to know about the therapy It has been used for decades to treat divers suffering from decompression sickness, known as the bends, and can be used to help treat several other conditions, such as tissue infections and poisoning, according to the Mayo Clinic. Officials confirmed that no one else was injured in the July 9 fire, and the incident is under investigation. The Arizona man's death is not the first hyperbaric chamber-related incident this year. In January, a 5-year-old boy died after the hyperbaric chamber he was in caught on fire at the Oxford Center in Troy, Michigan. Foxcroft co-founded Havasu Health and Hyperbarics in 2024, according to a press release announcing the new facility. He was a graduate of the University of Arizona, where he served as the university mascot, according to his brief biography on the facility's website, and earned a clinical doctorate in physical therapy at Touro University in Nevada. Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arizona therapist Foxcroft dies after hyperbaric chamber burns
Mint
a day ago
- Health
- Mint
Tragic flash fire kills Arizona physical therapist in hyperbaric chamber, here's what went on
A physical therapist was killed when a sudden fire erupted inside a hyperbaric chamber at his Arizona wellness center. Emergency crews rushed to Walter Foxcroft's clinic in Lake Havasu City late Wednesday night after a 911 call reported a burn victim inside the pressurized oxygen pod, according to an NBC report. Firefighters found heavy smoke and a 43-year-old Foxcroft dead inside the sealed chamber. Authorities confirm the flash fire is under investigation but released no details about what sparked the blaze. Foxcroft had opened Havasu Health and Hyperbarics just last year, offering cutting-edge treatments for healing and recovery. Hyperbaric chambers pump pure oxygen at high pressure to treat wounds, infections, or carbon monoxide poisoning. But the same oxygen that heals can turn deadly if ignited. "You need heat, oxygen, and fuel for fire, and hyperbaric chambers have lots of oxygen," explained Kaleb Christopherson, a safety director at another Arizona clinic. Patients must avoid lotions, perfumes, or electronics that could spark flames. Experts urge people to only use facilities accredited by groups like the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, which enforces strict fire codes. Foxcroft himself had completed safety training, yet the tragedy still occurred late Wednesday night. Friends and patients remember "Wally" Foxcroft as a passionate caregiver who boosted spirits on and off the job. Before becoming a physical therapist, he thrilled crowds as the University of Arizona's mascot, "Wilbur T. Wildcat," famous for his moonwalk. He later performed as the Arizona Cardinals' "Big Red" at the 2006 Super Bowl. Colleagues say Foxcroft was thorough, kind, and dedicated to innovative healing. His clinic temporarily closed after the accident, leaving the tight-knit Lake Havasu City grieving a man who "brought joy to everyone," according to his university cheer squad.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Physical therapist in US dies inside hyperbaric chamber after it catches fire
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Dr Walter Foxcroft was found dead on July 9 inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber at his health clinic. LAKE HAVASU CITY, Arizona - A 43-year-old physical therapist was found dead on July 9 inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber at his health clinic in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, after the device caught on fire, according to officials. The Lake Havasu City Fire Department said in a statement on July 10 that fire and police personnel were dispatched to Havasu Health and Hyperbarics on July 9 at 10.50pm 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 Dr Walter Foxcroft. 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 July 11 that they were still investigating the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding Dr Foxcroft's death. It was not clear why Dr Foxcroft was in the chamber. The clinic did not immediately respond to a request for comment on July 11. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Air India crash report shows pilot confusion over engine switch movement Business F&B operators face tougher business landscape amid rising costs and stiff competition Business What's in store for policyholders after GE removes pre-authorisation letters for two private hospitals Multimedia Which floor is this? Chongqing's maze-like environment powers its rise as a megacity Business 4 conditions that allow seniors with dementia to sign wills Asia 'Woven air': Ancient fabric spun across history makes comeback amid lies and climate change World 500 tourists evacuated from Grand Canyon wildfires Sport 'A step forward' for golfer Shannon Tan, who makes cut at Evian Championship He is at least the second person to die in 2024 after a fire broke out in a hyperbaric chamber. In February, an oxygen-rich hyperbaric chamber at a medical facility in Michigan exploded and killed a 5-year-old boy, who had been receiving medical treatment. The owner of the medical centre and two employees were later charged with murder and accused of ignoring safety standards, and one worker was charged with manslaughter. Hyperbaric oxygen chambers are pressurised tubes in which patients receive pure oxygen, according to the Mayo Clinic. Patients lie inside and have either a mask or a clear hood placed over their heads. There is a significant risk of fire in and around the chambers because they are an oxygen-rich environment, and it is also not always possible to quickly get out of a chamber when a fire sparks. 'Due to the enclosed and pressurised nature of the chamber, it is impossible to quickly open the door when the chamber is pressurised,' according to the University of Iowa Health Care Medical Centre. The goal of the treatments is to speed up the healing of damaged or infected tissue that is 'starved for oxygen,' and a prescription from a health care provider is required to receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. It is most commonly used to treat serious trauma, such as crushing injuries that block blood flow, carbon dioxide poisoning, decompression sickness or to save limbs that are fighting infection. But on its website, the Arizona clinic appears to advertise hyperbaric oxygen therapy for a variety of treatments that are not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration, including anti-ageing and autism treatments. 'There currently isn't enough research and testing to conclude that hyperbaric oxygen therapy safely and effectively treats these conditions,' according to the Cleveland Clinic. Dr Foxcroft, a Lake Havasu City resident, held a doctorate in physical therapy from Touro University Nevada and a bachelor's degree in physiological science from the University of Arizona, where he was also a mascot, according to the LinkedIn page. Havasu News, a local news site, reported that the clinic had a sign taped to the front door the morning after Dr Foxcroft died saying it was closed until further notice. Several bouquets of flowers and a note had been left at the door. NYTIMES
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Arizona physical therapist burned alive inside hyperbaric chamber at his office
An Arizona physical therapist was killed after his hyperbaric chamber caught on fire while he was inside. Havasu Health and Hyperbarics owner Dr. Walter Foxcroft, 43, was found dead on Wednesday after firefighters responded to reports of a fire in his office. The flames were caused by a flash fire, the Lake Havasu City Fire Department said in a statement. Emergency responders pulled Foxcroft's body from the chamber and pronounced him dead at the scene. He was the only person injured. The city fire department is now investigating the cause. Hyperbaric chambers are used to get more oxygen to tissues damaged by disease or injury, according to the Mayo Clinic. The chamber is pressurized two to three times higher than normal air pressure to help the lungs gather more oxygen. Foxcroft first moved to Lake Havasu in 1998 as a teen, according to his website. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona, where he served as a sports mascot. After graduating, he worked as the Arizona Cardinals' mascot, Big Red, even attending the Super Bowl with the team in 2006. He went on to earn a doctorate in physical therapy from Touro University Nevada. He founded his office last year after getting certified as a Functional Medicine Hyperbaric Clinician. He became a Functional Medicine Hyperbaric Clinician, certified by the International Board of Undersea Medicine, and started Havasu Health and Hyperbarics in 2024. Shannon Kenitz, the executive director of the International Hyperbarics Association, told local outlet Today's News-Herald that Foxcroft completed the association's safety training. "He was very passionate about hyperbaric therapy," she told the outlet. Foxcroft's friend, Grace Echevarria, told Today's News-Herald she's 'grief-stricken' in the wake of his death. 'I sent [Foxcroft's wife] a text to tell her that I was here if she needed me,' Echevarria said. 'His little girl has been in our dance class and fine arts class, and I've known them for a couple of years. I'm grief-stricken about it.' Jonathan O'Neill, a fellow physical therapist, said he shadowed Foxcroft during his training. "I just remember how kind and thorough he was with each person, never in a rush, answered all questions, talked with family members etc,' he told Today's News-Herald. 'He even took me out to lunch, it was a great learning experience for me.'
The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Arizona physical therapist burned alive inside hyperbaric chamber at his office
An Arizona physical therapist was killed after his hyperbaric chamber caught on fire while he was inside. Havasu Health and Hyperbarics owner Dr. Walter Foxcroft, 43, was found dead on Wednesday after firefighters responded to reports of a fire in his office. The flames were caused by a flash fire, the Lake Havasu City Fire Department said in a statement. Emergency responders pulled Foxcroft's body from the chamber and pronounced him dead at the scene. He was the only person injured. The city fire department is now investigating the cause. Hyperbaric chambers are used to get more oxygen to tissues damaged by disease or injury, according to the Mayo Clinic. The chamber is pressurized two to three times higher than normal air pressure to help the lungs gather more oxygen. Foxcroft first moved to Lake Havasu in 1998 as a teen, according to his website. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona, where he served as a sports mascot. After graduating, he worked as the Arizona Cardinals' mascot, Big Red, even attending the Super Bowl with the team in 2006. He went on to earn a doctorate in physical therapy from Touro University Nevada. He founded his office last year after getting certified as a Functional Medicine Hyperbaric Clinician. He became a Functional Medicine Hyperbaric Clinician, certified by the International Board of Undersea Medicine, and started Havasu Health and Hyperbarics in 2024. Shannon Kenitz, the executive director of the International Hyperbarics Association, told local outlet Today's News-Herald that Foxcroft completed the association's safety training. "He was very passionate about hyperbaric therapy," she told the outlet. Foxcroft's friend, Grace Echevarria, told Today's News-Herald she's 'grief-stricken' in the wake of his death. 'I sent [Foxcroft's wife] a text to tell her that I was here if she needed me,' Echevarria said. 'His little girl has been in our dance class and fine arts class, and I've known them for a couple of years. I'm grief-stricken about it.' Jonathan O'Neill, a fellow physical therapist, said he shadowed Foxcroft during his training. "I just remember how kind and thorough he was with each person, never in a rush, answered all questions, talked with family members etc,' he told Today's News-Herald. 'He even took me out to lunch, it was a great learning experience for me.'
