A man who caught on fire when he ran head-on into a burning statue while at the Burning Man Festival in Nevada has died from his injuries.
TMZ reports that Aaron Joel Mitchell, 41, was chased by firefighters as he entered the bonfire in Black Rock City at around 10:30 p.m. Saturday night. But he was not caught before entering the burning structure that quickly became engulfed in flames.
Videos by PopCulture.com
With the horrific account captured on camera and shared exclusively to TMZ, it is unclear why Mitchell jumped into the inferno in the first place.
Representatives from the Burning Man Festival’s website said Mitchell was airlifted to a hospital’s burn center, but succumbed to his injuries and died. The went on to share that they canceled scheduled effigy burns through noon Sunday, but will proceed with the scheduled Temple burn at 8 p.m. PST Sunday night.
The deceased’s family has been notified, and Burning Man is working with local and federal law enforcement agencies as an investigation is currently ongoing.
It is reported than more than 70,000 people attend the Burning Man festival every year.
Most Viewed
-
(Credit: NetPix / Getty Images) -
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Special Guest Jane Baer attends the screening of 'Sleeping Beauty' at the 2019 TCM 10th Annual Classic Film Festival on April 12, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for TCM) -
Television personality Francine Beppu arrives to the Life Out Loud Pride Cocktail Party Hosted By L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California on June 11, 2011. (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/WireImage) -
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 26: Drag Icon Maxi Shield poses against the cycle way construction site (along Mardi Gras parade route on Oxford ) on February 26, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade will return to Oxford Street for the 47th time. The parade began in 1978 as a march to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York and has been held every year since to promote awareness of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered issues. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage) -
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 21: Allison Holker attends Dancers Against Cancer's 2025 Gala Of The Stars at The Beverly Hilton on October 21, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images) -
A general view during the outdoor screening of "Back to the Future" during the 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival at Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE on June 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. *** Local Caption ***
