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Death Valley visitor dies after being stranded on remote road
USA Today • • nation
Key Points:
- A 68-year-old French tourist, Pierre Michel Formosa, died on August 17 after being stranded in Death Valley National Park's extreme heat when his car got stuck in mud on West Side Road.
- Formosa and his companion attempted to walk 1.3 miles across salt flats to seek help, but Formosa was unable to continue and was later found deceased about 1.5 miles from Badwater Road.
- Death Valley experienced temperatures of 116°F that day, highlighting the park's dangerous conditions including extreme heat, remoteness, and limited cell service.
- The National Park Service emphasizes the risks of traveling in Death Valley during summer, recommending visitors carry ample water and remain with their vehicles if stranded to increase chances of rescue.
- The incident follows several heat-related deaths in Death Valley during the summer of 2024, underscoring ongoing safety concerns amid record-breaking temperatures.
