There’s some sad news coming out of Death Valley, after a 68-year-old tourist succumbed to high temperatures in the Salt Flats. NBC News station 9NEWS reports that the incident occurred when a tourist from France was caught in the 116-degree heat.
Pierre Michel Formosa was traveling with a friend when their car broke down, and they decided to go on foot to look for help. However, Formosa had to stay behind after he struggled to continue, and he and his friend became separated.
According to the outlet, the incident occurred on Aug. 17, 2026, and multiple organizations joined in a search effort after the friend reached safety. Sadly, when they eventually located Formosa, he had already passed away.
This has prompted officials to warn visitors about the dangers of visiting Death Valley, especially during the hottest points of the day.
The Car the 68-Year-Old Was Traveling in Got Stuck in the Mud
CBS News reports that the drivers had been touring the park when they became stranded in a remote part of the park. The duo decided to walk to find help and began traveling across the notoriously hot salt flats. The outlet says temperatures reached 116 degrees while they were looking for help.
After walking around 1.3 miles, Formosa was “unable to continue,” according to a report from the National Park Service that was shared with the outlet, and the friend continued on their own until they found a driver who they were able to flag down for help.
Park Rangers Joined in the Search for Formosa
It sounds like they were unable to find Formosa after the friend got help, and rangers and the California Highway Patrol helicopter both went out in search of the 68-year-old around 2:13 p.m., and CBS News says he was found later that afternoon, where he was pronounced dead.
The details surrounding his death haven’t been made public yet, but the outlet says that the Inyo County coroner will determine the cause and manner of death.
Officials Are Using This Incident to Remind Visitors of the Dangers of the Park
According to the National Park Service, more than 1.32 million people visited the park in 2025, and while incidents at the park remain relatively low compared to the number of guests who come through, Mike Reynolds, the superintendent of the park, used the incident to remind the general public of the risks associated with the California park’s heat and terrain.
In fact, one of Death Valley’s claims to fame is that it’s the “hottest place on Earth,” with temperatures once reaching 134 back in 1913. Considering that temperatures spike in the summer, CBS News reports that this coming week is expected to be the hottest one this summer.
“This is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly conditions here can turn dangerous,” Reynolds told CBS News. “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.”