US News
French tourist dies in Death Valley amid extreme heat after vehicle gets stuck
A 68-year-old traveler collapsed and died while walking for assistance in 116-degree temperatures.
The short version
- Pierre Michel Formosa, 68, died in California's Death Valley after his vehicle became stuck in mud and he attempted to walk for help.
- Formosa's companion reached Badwater Road and flagged down a driver, but search crews later located Formosa's body roughly 1.5 miles from the road.
- The incident occurred during an extreme heat warning, with local temperatures reaching 116 degrees.
Key facts
- Pierre Michel Formosa, 68, and a companion attempted to walk along desert salt flats to Badwater Road after their vehicle became stuck in mud.[NBC News]
- Temperatures reached 116 degrees, and the National Weather Service had an active extreme heat warning in place for the area.[NBC News]
- Formosa halted about 1.3 miles into the trek, while his companion successfully reached the road around 2 p.m. to summon help.[NBC News]
- A search operation involving National Park Service rangers and a California Highway Patrol helicopter found Formosa's body about 1.5 miles from the road.[NBC News]
Sources
- French tourist dies in Death Valley heat after vehicle gets stuck in mudNBC News - Top Stories