French tourist dies in California’s Death Valley after being stranded in heat
Man, 68, was left searching for help in 116F weather after his car became stuck in mud along remote park road A French tourist recently died in Death Valley national park after a car mishap left him stranded in 116F (47C) weather. The visitor, identified as 68-year-old Pierre Michel Formosa, was traveling with another French man along the park’s remote West Side Road when their vehicle became…
French tourist Pierre Michel Formosa, 68, died in Death Valley National Park after becoming stranded in extreme heat following a car breakdown. The incident occurred along remote West Side Road, where his vehicle became stuck in mud near Queen of Sheba Mine Road. With no other vehicles around, the tourist and his companion walked 1.3 miles through scorching temperatures of 116F (47C) toward Badwater Road to seek assistance.
Formosa eventually collapsed and could not continue, leaving his companion to call for help at Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Park rangers and a county deputy initiated a search and rescue operation, which was aided by a California highway patrol helicopter. Formosa was found and pronounced dead on the scene. The National Park Service noted the importance of the public understanding the dangers of Death Valley's heat and remoteness, reminding visitors of limited cell service and the potential for emergency assistance to take hours to arrive.
The park is known for its extreme heat – reaching 134F in 1913 – and vast, challenging terrain. Visitors are advised to carry ample water, monitor weather conditions, and ensure their vehicles are suitable for backcountry roads. Heatwaves have intensified across the US due to climate change, with several heat-related deaths reported this summer, including three hikers in Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian US's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
