A French tourist has died in California’s Death Valley after the vehicle he was driving became stuck in the mud in 47°C temperatures.
Pierre Michel Formosa, 68, was with a companion when their vehicle became stuck in extreme heat on Monday, the National Park Service said. The pair then set off on foot across the desert towards Badwater Road, one of the park’s main routes, to find help.
Companion reached road and flagged down driver
Formosa was said to be unable to continue and stopped around 1.3 miles into the journey. His companion managed to reach the road at around 2pm and flagged down a passing driver, prompting a search for Formosa involving park rangers and a California Highway Patrol helicopter.
Formosa’s body was found later that afternoon, around 1.5 miles from Badwater Road. The temperature had reached 47°C in Death Valley at the time.
Park superintendent warns of dangerous conditions
Death Valley National Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds offered his condolences to Formosa’s family. ‘This is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly conditions here can turn dangerous,’ he said.
The National Weather Service had issued an extreme heat warning for the area, as a high of 48°C was forecast for Wednesday.
Visitors urged to carry water and satellite phones
The park service has urged visitors to stick to paved roads when there are extreme temperatures and carry plenty of water, as well as satellite phones and emergency beacons.
Reynolds added: ‘Death Valley is an extraordinary place, but its heat, distances, and remoteness can be dangerous, regardless of experience.’
In 2022, nearly 1,000 people were stranded after a near-record downpour caused flash flooding in the area. The rain in one of the hottest and driest spots on earth forced a temporary closure of the park.
