A 68-year-old French tourist has died in Death Valley National Park after his vehicle became stranded in mud and he succumbed to the extreme heat while seeking assistance. The National Park Service confirmed that Pierre Michel Formosa was found deceased after a search.
Formosa and his traveling companion were driving on West Side Road in Death Valley when their car got stuck in mud. They then attempted to walk across the salt flats to find help. However, the severe heat, reaching 46.6C (116F), prevented Formosa from continuing after approximately 1.3 miles. His companion managed to flag down another driver, leading to park rangers and police locating Formosa later that afternoon. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Death Valley National Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds stated, "This is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly conditions here can turn dangerous." He added, "Death Valley is an extraordinary place, but its heat, distances, and remoteness can be dangerous, regardless of experience."
The park, which advertises itself as the "hottest place on Earth," is currently under an extreme heat warning. Forecasters anticipate Southern California will experience its hottest week of the summer.
This incident highlights the dangers of extreme heat for tourists visiting U.S. landmarks. Earlier in the summer, at least four hikers died while trekking in the Grand Canyon in Arizona due to similar conditions.