A French Tourist Dies in Death Valley After Car Gets Stuck in Mud

A 68‑year‑old French tourist, Pierre Michel Formosa, died in California’s Death Valley after his vehicle got stuck in mud amid record‑setting temperatures.

Police found Formosa following a brief search; the National Park Service confirmed that he died while trying to seek help in the blistering heat after the car jammed on West Side Road.

“This is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly conditions can turn dangerous,” said Death Valley National Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds.

The vehicle stalled when the driver and his French traveling companion attempted to move the car on the salt flats. They walked 1.3 miles across the flats, but the 46.6 °C (114 °F) heat forced the 68‑year‑old to give up.

His companion managed to hail a nearby driver, after which rangers and police located Formosa later that afternoon and pronounced him dead. A coroner will later determine the exact cause.

Reynolds noted that Death Valley’s extreme temperatures and remoteness “can be dangerous, regardless of experience.” He expressed gratitude to everyone who helped the search and extended thoughts to the victim’s loved ones.

Death Valley currently has an extreme heat warning in effect, and the park is known for extreme temperatures, having recorded a global high of 57 °C (134 °F) in 1913. The National Weather Service expects Southern California to experience its hottest week of summer so far, while record heatwaves have endangered tourists at various US landmarks.

In June, at least four hikers died while trekking through the Grand Canyon. State authorities reported the deaths to Arizona officials. Read more about Grand Canyon hikers.

For further information and related topics, see United States, California, and Heatwaves.