French tourist dies after vehicle becomes stuck in Death Valley mud

A 68-year-old French tourist and an unnamed companion became stranded on West Side Road in Death Valley on Aug. 17 when their vehicle sank in mud, according to the National Park Service. The pair attempted to walk across the salt flats for help, but the heat, which reached 116 °F (46.6 °C), forced the tourist to stop after about 1.3 miles. His companion continued and eventually flagged down a passing motorist, who reported the incident at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center.

National Park Service rangers, an Inyo County deputy and a California Highway Patrol helicopter launched a search that located the tourist later that afternoon. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Death Valley National Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds expressed condolences to the victim’s family and warned that the park’s heat, distance and remoteness can quickly become hazardous.

A coroner in Inyo County will determine the cause of death. An extreme-heat warning remains in effect, with temperatures forecast to rise to 118 °F (47.8 °C) later in the week. Park officials reminded visitors that cell service is limited, emergency assistance can take hours, and recommended carrying sufficient water, checking conditions before travel and using satellite communication devices. The National Park Service advises that, if a vehicle becomes disabled, staying with it is often safest because it provides shade and is easier for rescuers to locate.