Arizona physical therapist killed in Hyperbaric chamber fire remembered as “fun, charismatic and thoughtful friend”

Dr. Walter Foxcroft, a 43-year-old physical therapist from Lake Havasu City, Arizona, is being fondly remembered by his friends, colleagues and those at his alma mater, the University of Arizona. Foxcroft passed away on July 9 when a fire broke out in a hyperbaric chamber with him inside, in the medical facility that the physical therapist himself founded last year, as per Newsweek.

News 4 Tucson described how Foxcroft, who was a mascot at the University of Arizona from 2002 to 2005, was being remembered. A journalist with News 4 Tucson stated,

“I'm told he was the same person in the mascot suit and out of it. Fun, charismatic, energetic, and a thoughtful friend.”

Foxcroft’s former mascot advisor at the University told the channel that the alum was actively involved as a mentor in the years after he graduated. She said,

“I think they could say they always had fun with Wally…And I know that a lot of the posts are saying that on social media. And he was also a person that gave back. He came back to the university and helped coach mascots and work with the cheerleaders and and things like that.”

About the physical therapist, Dr. Walter Foxcroft’s untimely death

Walter Foxcroft was declared dead on Wednesday night by first responders to the physical therapist’s facility, Havasu Health and Hyperbarics, when he was discovered inside a hyperbaric chamber, which caught fire, as per Today’s News-Herald.

A separate report from the publication noted that hyperbaric chambers, which provide higher air pressure and pure oxygen to treat a variety of conditions and injuries by providing more oxygen to tissues, are at risk of catching fire if someone accidentally takes electronic devices inside it. Today’s News-Herald also reported that the International Hyperbarics Association (IHA) warns that even wearing anything other than cotton or a lotion can lead to a sudden fire inside hyperbaric chambers.

As per Lake Havasu City, investigators are determining the cause of the fire that led to Foxcroft’s death.

A GoFundMe fundraising campaign has been organized to support the physical therapist’s family. The campaign has already raised about 97% of its $28,000 target, as of the writing of this article. Tyler Carlo, the organizer of the campaign, noted that the proceeds would go towards covering Foxcroft’s funeral costs as well as providing his wife and children with some financial stability. He said,

“We’re asking for help, not just to cover immediate needs and give Wally the celebration of life he deserves, but to give his family some stability while they figure out how to begin again without him. Wally wouldn’t want a somber goodbye. We’ll be honoring him in color, with music, love, and stories, just the way he would’ve wanted.”

Describing Foxcroft, Carlo also wrote,

“Wally wasn’t just a husband, father, brother, son, and friend, he was the heart of our family and the light in every room. He dedicated his life to helping others, pouring his soul into his patients, his practice, and his community. He had a rare gift, just being around him made you feel better.”

As per Fox 10 Phoenix, former mascots at the University of Arizona are working to create a scholarship in Foxcroft’s honor to support further mascots financially.