Death Valley: French tourist dies after vehicle becomes stuck in extreme heat

A French tourist, identified as 68-year-old Pierre Michel Formosa, has died in Death Valley National Park after becoming stranded in extreme heat. The incident occurred on West Side Road when Formosa and a companion became stuck in mud.

With no other vehicles nearby to assist, the two men attempted to walk across the salt flats to find help. During the trek, temperatures reached 46.6 degrees Celsius (approximately 116 degrees Fahrenheit). Formosa stopped walking after roughly two kilometers due to exhaustion, while his companion continued until encountering another driver and reporting the incident at the Furnace Creek visitor center.

A search operation involving National Park Service rangers, the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, and a California Highway Patrol helicopter located Formosa later that afternoon, where he was pronounced dead. Mike Reynolds, the Death Valley National Park Superintendent, expressed condolences and warned that the park’s heat, vastness, and isolation can become lethal regardless of a visitor's experience.

Authorities have issued extreme heat warnings for the area, with temperatures expected to reach up to 47.8 degrees Celsius. Officials remind visitors that cellular signals are extremely weak or non-existent in the park and recommend carrying sufficient water and using satellite communication devices in emergencies.