French tourist dies in California’s Death Valley after being stranded in heat

Man, 68, was left searching for help in 116F weather after his car became stuck in mud along remote park road A French tourist recently died in Death Valley national park after a car mishap left him stranded in 116F (47C) weather. The visitor, identified as 68-year-old Pierre Michel Formosa, was traveling with another

The National Park Service said that the French visitor died on Aug. 17 after he and his travel companion were driving on West Side Road when their vehicle became stuck in mud.

Milo Pope | Live News reporter Published August 24, 2026 3:09pm Updated August 24, 2026 3:15pm Temperatures in Death Valley in California have reached up to 57°C (Picture: Getty Images) A French tourist has died in California’s Death Valley after the vehicle he was driving became stuck in the mud in 47°C temperatures.

A 68-year-old French tourist died in Death Valley National Park last week after becoming trapped in 116-degree temperatures.

AaronP/Bauer-Griffin / GC Images A 68-year-old French tourist died in Death Valley National Park after his vehicle became stuck and he attempted to walk for help through 116-degree heat. Pierre Michel Formosa and a companion were traveling on West Side Road Monday when their vehicle became trapped in mud near Queen of

A French tourist died last week in California’s Death Valley after the vehicle he was in got stuck in mud and he ventured away for help amid temperatures that reached 116 degrees, officials said.

Summertime temperatures in Death Valley can reach as high as 54 deg C, with nighttime temperatures of up to 32 deg C.

Tourist dies at Death Valley after being stranded in high heat  USA Today

The incident happened on a remote road in California's Death Valley as Pierre Michel Formosa was left stranded in the desert with a friend

With temperatures reaching 116 degrees on Aug. 17, the man was unable to continue just over a mile into the trek.

'Like a zoo!' British tourists stuck on cruise from hell as temperatures skyrocket past 40C  GB News