Posted on 08/23/2026 7:15:36 PM PDT by BenLurkin
A 68-year-old tourist from France died after he and a traveling companion became stranded on a remote road in Death Valley National Park, one of the hottest places on Earth during the summer months.
Pierre Michel Formosa and his companion, also from France, were traveling along West Side Road on Monday, Aug. 17, when their vehicle became stuck in mud near Queen of Sheba Mine Road, according to a news release from the National Park Service.
With no other vehicles nearby, the two men left their vehicle and began walking across the salt flats toward Badwater Road in search of help.
Temperatures in Death Valley reached 116 degrees that day, park officials said.
After walking about 1.3 miles, Formosa was unable to continue, authorities said. His companion continued toward Badwater Road, where he eventually encountered a passing motorist who offered assistance.
Formosa’s companion reported the incident at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center shortly after 2 p.m., prompting National Park Service rangers and an Inyo County sheriff’s deputy to launch a search-and-rescue operation around 2:13 p.m.
A California Highway Patrol helicopter later joined the search and located Formosa that afternoon approximately 1.5 miles from Badwater Road.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Inyo County coroner will determine the exact cause and manner of death.
(Excerpt) Read more at ktla.com ...
bttt
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Well. Here in Tarrant County (Texas y’all), it is 98F @ 2200.
An hour ago, it was 100F.
It’s tragic. But... you have to be careful and mindful of your environment.
Sixty-eight and maybe not so fit and healthy. One-hundred-sixteen is HOT.
At all.
Quite.
That’s right.
Possible foul play? One wonders.
106F at 10pm...sounds like Texas
What kind of “French” last name is “Formosa”?
I just watched that video for the first time ever a week ago.
Wild. Sad.
They drove a rental minivan places a true off road 4X4 could not go.
Wow, the surface looks like the Moon.
Death Valley. Summer. Remote road.
In my 20’s I was camping with friends in the Mountains of death valley, they had to go back early so I stayed by myself.
The next day I explored Saline valley the next valley over (but now a part of dv). I met a cowboy and his girl friend who had been stuck there for 24 hours as their truck broke down. I took them on dirt road to the nearest town (45 miles).
It was quite an adventure but for a few moments I wondered what kind of trouble I had gotten into. But they turned out to be the nicest people.
When I was young 30’s I spent two summers working in the desert. Spent all day walking and working in the son, 110 degrees a lot of the time. Plenty of water and a big hat, loose clothing, etc. I don’t recall taking long breaks - that came when I was about 40!
Got the work van stuck on the second day of the project. The sand was still damp in the early morning and would hold the vehicle. Try to move it at 5 pm and it just sank in. Oops. (There was another vehicle so no big deal).
I’m curious about this poor French guy. Perhaps there was a language barrier, but why didn’t his partner ask the car to drive down the dirt road to go get him? Perhaps they thought it was a scam? The road was too rough for their car and they didn’t want to get stuck too? Only 1.5 miles from the road...
“...and began walking across the salt flats”
Oops. I thought they were on a dirt road heading back to the pavement. Yeah - I can see why the other car didn’t want to venture out.
Back in Health & Safety class they would always tell of stories where workers didn’t come out of come place and people would go look for them and then they wouldn’t come back, and so another group would go in, etc.
Toxic atmospheres usually. But 115 degrees could do the same thing. And getting stuck.
I’ve been running my furnace this summer, that’s how cold it’s been in Alaska this summer.
I say this with the utmost respect and love from Texas...
JERK :)
But it was a dry heat.
It’s 11pm here in the bay area and it’s 63F, 59 in Monterey. Death valley right now is 107 a 48 degree difference!
It’s amazing the temperature variations in this beautiful state. You can pretty much find whatever climate you want. Unfortunately it’s infested with hordes of human Rats!
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