Pierce Brosnan, the well-known star of the James Bond film franchise, has recently been charged with two federal citations after allegedly venturing into a restricted area of Yellowstone National Park. In court documents filed in Wyoming, it is stated that Brosnan has pled not guilty to the charges he is facing at the age of 70. The charges include “Foot travel in all thermal areas and w/in Yellowstone Canyon confined to trails” as well as “violating closures and use limits.” If found guilty, Brosnan could be subject to a maximum fine of $5,000 or up to six months in prison.
The incident reportedly occurred while Brosnan was at the Yellowstone Film Ranch filming his upcoming Western film, ‘The Unholy Trinity,’ alongside fellow actor Samuel L. Jackson. While visiting the park, Brosnan is said to have strayed from the designated trails and entered a restricted area, prompting the charges from the National Park Service. The park service warns visitors of the dangers of not following the designated guidelines, especially when it comes to the various hot springs that can be found throughout the park.
In fact, the park website explicitly states that hot springs have been responsible for more injuries and deaths in Yellowstone than any other natural feature. This is due to the scalding water that underlies the thin and breakable crust near the hot springs, which can cause severe or fatal burns if not approached with caution. For these reasons, the park urges visitors to always stay on boardwalks and designated trails to ensure their safety.
Despite the potential consequences, some media outlets have portrayed Brosnan’s actions as irresponsible in light of a previous tragedy that occurred in the park. In 2016, a 23-year-old man slipped and fell to his death in a hot spring near one of Yellowstone’s famous geysers. The victim had allegedly left the designated boardwalk trail and ventured into the off-limits Norris Geyser Basin with his sister when the accident occurred. The water in the hot spring was measured at a scorching 199 degrees, making it highly likely that the man was killed within minutes. Despite efforts to recover his body, it was never found by park rangers.
Pierce Brosnan's NOT caving to the federal government!
Read more ???? https://t.co/JcAyXqEIhy pic.twitter.com/x3Q8ZOBciI
— TMZ (@TMZ) January 17, 2024
In light of this tragic event, media outlets have used this as an example to criticize Brosnan’s actions and speculate on the potential consequences that could have occurred if he had lost his footing or encountered a similar mishap. With this in mind, it is crucial for visitors to Yellowstone to adhere to the park’s regulations to ensure their own safety and preserve the natural beauty of the park. As for Brosnan, he will now have to face the consequences of allegedly disregarding these guidelines and defend himself against the federal citations in court.