A call came in at 9:42 a.m. of a woman engulfed in flames inside Woodland Park, just east of Highway 99 off North 50th Street. This is just down the hill to the east of Woodland Park Zoo’s south entrance.
Here’s the scene as they were about to take her to the hospital.
A Seattle Police sergeant on scene told me he does not believe it’s a case of foul play. He couldn’t tell me the age of the woman or any other details. A police department chaplain was on scene. Police are interviewing witnesses, including this man in the grey sweatshirt standing beneath the tree:
We’ll bring you more information as we get it. Update: The woman, described as being in her 50s, has indeed died. A couple of you have posted links to updated stories in comments. Thank you.
6 responses so far ↓
1 neighbor // Sep 8, 2009 at 12:19 pm
That is so very very sad. My heart goes out to the woman, her family and anyone who witnessed it..I was a volunteer firefighter in college and have worked in ER’s and burns are sooo very very painful. I have a close friend that age who lives a few blocks away and her counselor recently moved away and it scared me to think it might have been her.. Remember that most people who are suicidal can be helped and this probably could have been prevented if she had been able to get some help.
If you or a friend are ever feeling suicidal call 911 or the crisis clinic (206) 461-3222
2 Trix // Sep 8, 2009 at 12:49 pm
What age, Neighbor? This little blurb doesn’t mention that much. Is there more info somewhere else? I know women in the area and looking for news.
Agree that most suicides can be prevented with the right helping hand.
3 anon // Sep 8, 2009 at 12:56 pm
This Seattle Times piece links here and gives the age as 50’s.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/theblotter/2009825455_phinneywood_woman_engulfed_in.html
4 Chris // Sep 8, 2009 at 2:17 pm
The PI has reported that the woman has died. My condolences to the family.
http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattle911/archives/178596.asp
5 woodland // Sep 8, 2009 at 4:10 pm
What torment must have haunted her mind for her to choose such a painful and attention-seeking way to die. Very sad.
6 del // Sep 9, 2009 at 10:15 pm
I don’t know about attention seeking. She picked a time when there would be virtually no one at the zoo, and a space where she likely wouldn’t catch other things on fire. If she did this to herself, she was probably just trying to not burn down structures and trees along with her. People always seem to say “attention seeking” with suicides, when actually, if one is suicidal, what YOU think is the last thing on their mind. They’re immersed in their own torment, not concerned with YOU.
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