French tourist dies in Death Valley after car gets stuck in mud
A 68-year-old French tourist died in Death Valley after his vehicle became stuck in mud during extreme heat. Despite attempts to seek help, he succumbed to the 46.6C temperatures while walking across the salt flats.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the lethal risks of extreme heatwaves and the dangers of remote travel in national parks during record-breaking weather events.
Image source, Anadolu via Getty Images Image caption, The 68-year-old was found dead around the salt flats of Death Valley
A French tourist has died in California's Death Valley after becoming stranded on the side of the road during 46.6C (116F) heat.
Police found 68-year-old Pierre Michel Formosa recently following a brief search, with the National Park service saying he died while trying to seek help in the blistering heat when his car got stuck in mud.
"This is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly conditions here can turn dangerous," Death Valley National Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds said in a statement.
Soaring temperatures across the United States have caused millions of people to sweat through record heatwaves, leading to dozens of heat-related deaths.
Formosa was driving through Death Valley with his French travelling companion last Monday when their vehicle became stuck in mud on West Side Road.
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