French Tourist Dies in Death Valley After Car Gets Stuck in Heat

A 68-year-old French tourist, Pierre Michel Formosa, died after his car became stuck in mud on West Side Road in Death Valley National Park, California, amid temperatures reaching 116 degrees Fahrenheit on August 17, according to the National Park Service.

Formosa and his traveling companion, also from France, abandoned their vehicle and walked across the salt flats toward Badwater Road seeking help. After about 1.3 miles, Formosa was unable to continue due to the extreme heat, while his companion proceeded and found assistance from a passing driver.

The companion reported the situation just after 2 p.m., prompting a search by park rangers, an Inyo County deputy, and a California Highway Patrol helicopter. Formosa was found about 1.5 miles from Badwater Road and pronounced dead at the scene. The cause and manner of death will be determined by the Inyo County coroner, as reported by the National Park Service.

Death Valley National Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds expressed condolences and warned about the dangers posed by the park's extreme heat, vast distances, and remoteness.

"This is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly conditions here can turn dangerous," Reynolds said.

"Death Valley is an extraordinary place, but its heat, distances, and remoteness can be dangerous, regardless of experience. We're grateful to everyone who took part in the search, and our thoughts are with his loved ones," he added.

The park is known as one of the hottest places on Earth, with recorded temperatures reaching as high as 134 degrees Fahrenheit in 1913. Visitors are advised to plan routes carefully, carry sufficient water, and take precautions such as carrying satellite communicators and staying with their vehicle if disabled, as detailed by the National Park Service.

Extreme heat warnings remain in effect for Death Valley, with temperatures expected to reach up to 118 degrees Fahrenheit in coming days, according to the National Weather Service.

This incident follows multiple heat-related deaths reported this summer in the U.S., including at Grand Canyon National Park where several hikers died amid triple-digit temperatures in June.