Death Valley Heat Claims Life of French Visitor

A 68-year-old French tourist died in Death Valley after his vehicle got stuck in mud and he attempted to walk for help in 116-degree heat. The companion reached the road and alerted authorities, but the man was found dead about 1.5 miles away. The National Park Service warned of extreme heat and urged visitors to stay on paved roads.

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The incident unfolded on a Monday when the pair's vehicle became mired in mud on desert salt flats near a historic mining trail. Formosa's companion completed the roughly 1.3-mile walk to Badwater Road and flagged down a passing motorist around 2 p.m., prompting a search involving rangers and a California Highway Patrol helicopter.

Searchers located Formosa's body approximately 1.5 miles from the paved road that afternoon. The National Weather Service