Death Valley tourist dies in 116F heat after car stuck

A 68-year-old French tourist died in Death Valley after his vehicle became stuck in mud and he and another French traveller tried to walk for help in 116F (47C) heat, the US National Park Service said.

The National Park Service identified the man as Pierre Michel Formosa. It said the vehicle used by Formosa and his travel companion became bogged down on a remote road on August 17.

The two men began walking across salt flats to seek help, but after about 1.3 miles, or two kilometres, Formosa could not continue, the park service said. His companion carried on and eventually got help from a passing motorist, who alerted authorities.

A search-and-rescue team found Formosa a short time later. He was pronounced dead at the scene, the National Park Service said.

Death Valley National Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds said the case showed how quickly conditions in the park could become dangerous because of its heat, distance and remoteness. Death Valley lies about 200 miles northeast of Los Angeles.