French tourist dies in Death Valley after car gets stuck in mud

A 68-year-old French tourist, Pierre Michel Formosa, has passed away in California's Death Valley after his vehicle became mired in mud, leaving him stranded in extreme 46.6C (116F) temperatures.

Authorities located Formosa recently after a short search. The National Park service indicated that he succumbed while attempting to find assistance in the intense heat after his car became immobilized.

Mike Reynolds, Superintendent of Death Valley National Park, issued a statement saying, "This is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly conditions here can turn dangerous."

Formosa was traveling through Death Valley with a French companion last Monday when their car got stuck in mud on West Side Road. The two began walking across the salt flats to seek help, but the severe heat prevented Formosa from continuing after 1.3 miles.

His companion was able to flag down a passing driver, and rangers and police subsequently found Formosa later that afternoon, where he was pronounced deceased.

Reynolds added, "Death Valley is an extraordinary place, but its heat, distances, and remoteness can be dangerous, regardless of experience. We're grateful to everyone who took part in the search, and our thoughts are with his loved ones."

The national park stated that coroners would ascertain the precise cause and manner of death.

Death Valley, which promotes itself as the "hottest place on Earth" and recorded a global high of 57C (134F) in 1913, is currently under an extreme heat warning. The National Weather Service recently predicted that Southern California would experience its "hottest week of summer so far."

Across the United States, soaring temperatures have led to record heatwaves, causing numerous heat-related fatalities and impacting millions. This summer, record heatwaves have posed risks to tourists at various US landmarks, including at least four hikers who died in June while traversing the Grand Canyon, as reported by Arizona state authorities.