Yesterday, police discovered the body of 68‑year‑old Pierre Michel Formosa, a French tourist, after a brief search. The National Park Service reports that he died while attempting to seek help in the blistering heat when his car became stuck in mud on a remote road.
Formosa and his French traveling companion were driving through Death Valley when the vehicle got lodged in liquidity on West Side Road. They walked across the salt flats, but the extreme heat prevented him from continuing after 1.3 miles. The companion managed to hail a nearby driver, and rangers and police later found Formosa dead that afternoon.
"This is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly conditions here can turn dangerous," said Death Valley National Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds. The park urged visitors to exercise caution due to the extreme temperatures.
Officials are awaiting coroners’ findings on the precise cause and manner of the death. An extreme heat warning is in effect across Death Valley, the park’s official website notes, with the area dubbed the "hottest place on Earth." Southern California is expected to experience its hottest week of summer so far.
Record heatwaves have endangered tourists visiting U.S. landmarks this summer. At least four hikers died in June while trekking through the Grand Canyon, Arizona authorities reported.
