A French tourist, Pierre Michel Formosa, 68, died on August 17 in California's Death Valley National Park after his vehicle became stuck in the mud. Formosa and his travel companion were traveling on West Side Road near Queen of Sheba Mine Road when their car became immobilized in a remote area with no other vehicles.
Temperatures in the park reached 116 degrees Fahrenheit on the day of the incident. According to the National Park Service, Formosa and his companion ventured just over a mile from their stranded vehicle in an attempt to find help. Formosa struggled to continue and remained behind while his companion found a passing motorist and reported the situation.
Search-and-rescue efforts were launched by National Park Service rangers and a local sheriff's deputy shortly after 2 p.m., with a California Highway Patrol helicopter joining the search. Formosa was located approximately a mile and a half from Badwater Road and pronounced dead at the scene. The coroner's office will determine the exact cause and manner of death.
Death Valley National Park officials issued a warning about the dangers of extreme heat, vast distances, and remote terrain. Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds stated, "This is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly conditions here can turn dangerous. Death Valley is an extraordinary place, but its heat, distances, and remoteness can be dangerous, regardless of experience."
Park officials recommend visitors bring at least one gallon of water per person, per day, and extra for vehicle emergencies. Roads throughout the park often require high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles, and conditions can change abruptly. Visitors are advised to stay on paved roads and avoid hiking during extreme heat, especially at lower elevations.
In case of a vehicle disablement, officials recommend staying with the vehicle for shelter, as it is easier for search teams to spot than a person on foot. Cell service is limited in Death Valley, and visitors are encouraged to carry satellite communicators or emergency beacons and inform someone of their travel plans.
Formosa had been traveling across the U.S. with a friend and documented his journey on social media and a travelogue with Les Routes Varoises en Liberté, a group that sponsors cross-country rides. Photos shared online showed him visiting various state parks, including Yosemite National Park, and landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge. On the day of his death, Formosa posted about heading into Death Valley, noting the extreme temperatures and the surreal landscape. The Daily Mail has reached out to Les Routes Varoises en Liberté for comment.