Death Valley National Park officials confirmed that Pierre Michel Formosa, a 68‑year‑old French tourist, died on August 17 after his vehicle became immobilized in mud on West Side Road. The incident occurred amid an extreme heat warning that had temperatures soaring to 116 °F (46.6 °C) across the park.
Formosa and an unnamed companion were traveling together when their car slipped into soft, water‑logged ground. With no passing traffic to call for assistance, the pair abandoned the vehicle and began walking across the salt flats in search of help. After covering roughly 1.3 miles, Formosa stopped, likely due to the oppressive heat. His companion continued on foot and eventually encountered a passing motorist, who reported the situation to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center.
National Park Service rangers, an Inyo County deputy, and a California Highway Patrol helicopter launched a search and rescue operation within minutes. The helicopter located Formosa later that afternoon, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. A coroner from Inyo County will determine the precise cause and manner of death.
Park officials stress safety precautions
Death Valley Superintendent Mike Reynolds expressed condolences to Formosa’s family and friends, noting that the park’s extreme conditions can become dangerous quickly, regardless of a visitor’s experience. “We are grateful to everyone who participated in the search, and our thoughts are with his loved ones,” Reynolds said.
Officials reminded visitors that cell‑phone service is limited or nonexistent throughout much of the park, and that emergency assistance can take hours to arrive. The National Park Service advises travelers to carry ample water, check road and weather conditions before entering, and consider alternative communication devices such as satellite messengers or emergency beacons.
When a vehicle becomes disabled, the agency recommends staying with the vehicle, as it provides shade and is easier for rescuers to spot than a person on foot in open terrain.
Extreme heat warning in effect
The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for Death Valley, forecasting temperatures up to 118 °F (47.8 °C) through Friday. The park, the lowest, hottest, and driest region of the continental United States, regularly experiences such conditions during summer months.
Visitors are urged to plan trips carefully, travel during cooler morning hours, and avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun. The combination of high heat, remote distances, and limited infrastructure makes preparedness essential for a safe experience in this iconic desert landscape.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
