Doctor burned alive inside own hyperbaric oxygen chamber after getting trapped

A physical therapist was horrifically found burned alive inside a chamber in his own practice following a fatal freak fire.

Dr. Walter Foxcroft, 43, was found dead inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber by firefighters who rushed in following a flash fire. The blaze ignited while he was in the oxygen therapy machine inside his clinic in Arizona on Wednesday, at around 11pm, turning the space into a kill box. Emergency crews said they saw smoke pouring out of the building when they arrived but came across the harrowing site of the oxygen chamber up in flames as Walter's body was fatally trapped inside.

The doctor was at his office, the Havasu Health and Hyperbarics, when crews rushed to put out the blaze, the Lake Havasu City Fire Department said. A hyperbaric oxygen chamber is a sealed enclosure where both air pressure and oxygen levels can be controlled for patients.

READ MORE: Shop worker, 24, left brain dead after manager 'sat on her' tragically dies

READ MORE: Boy dies locked in boiling hot car as mum makes horror realisation after nursery run

Fire crews were eventually able to put out the terrifying blaze and retrieve Walter's charred body, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported in this fatal blaze.

Officials at the Lake Havasu City said: "The first arriving crews identified smoke throughout the building and an intact hyperbaric chamber that appeared to have had a flash fire in the chamber with one patient inside."

It is not clear why the doctor was in the chamber so late at night and the cause of the fire is under investigation by officials. The practice will be closed while authorities carry out their investigation.

Walter's classmates, from the University of Arizona where he graduated from in 2005, shared touching tributes to the doctor. He served as the university's mascot, Wilbur T. Wildcat, for three years while as a student.

The Cheerleaders & Mascots group, on Instagram, said: "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."

"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."

Walter then became a mascot for the Arizona Cardinals American football team after he finished university and even followed the team to the 2006 Superbowl final, before heading back to school, according to his practice's website.

He then received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Touro University Nevada in 2012. Walter founded his practice in 2024, which was special as it was Arizona's fire-ever integrative naturopathic hyperbaric oxygen therapy centre.