RismadarVoice Reporters, August 24, 2026
A 68-year-old French tourist has died in California’s Death Valley after the vehicle he was travelling in became stuck in mud amid extreme heat, authorities said.
The National Park Service identified the tourist as Pierre Michel Formosa, who was travelling with a companion on Monday when their vehicle became stuck on desert salt flats.
The pair reportedly decided to walk toward Badwater Road, a paved roadway, to seek help. However, Formosa became unable to continue after walking about 1.3 miles and stopped along the route.
His companion eventually reached the road and flagged down a passing driver at about 2 p.m., prompting a search involving park rangers and a California Highway Patrol helicopter.
Formosa’s body was found later that afternoon, about 1.5 miles from Badwater Road.
Temperatures in the area reached 116 degrees Fahrenheit (about 47°C) on the day of his death, according to the National Park Service.
Death Valley National Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds expressed condolences to Formosa’s family, warning that the park’s extreme heat, vast distances and remote terrain can quickly become dangerous.
The National Park Service has advised visitors to remain on paved roads during periods of extreme heat, carry emergency communication devices and ensure they have sufficient drinking water.
