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Los Angeles Scoop · Aug 24, 2026

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French Tourist Dies After Vehicle Gets Stuck In Death Valley A trip through Death Valley National Park ended tragically after a 68-year-old French tourist died when his vehicle became stuck in mud on a remote road during extreme heat. Pierre Michel Formosa and another visitor from France were traveling along West Side Road near Queen of Sheba Mine Road on August 17 when their vehicle became stuck. With no other vehicles nearby, the two began walking across the salt flats toward Badwater Road looking for help. Temperatures reached a staggering 116 degrees that afternoon. After walking approximately 1.3 miles, Formosa was unable to continue. His companion continued on and eventually found help, but rescuers later located Formosa deceased. The Inyo County coroner is determining his official cause of death. The tragedy is an important warning for anyone visiting Death Valley during the summer. You have to be extremely careful — Death Valley is the hottest place on Earth in the summer. In Furnace Creek, California, temperatures regularly climb above 120 degrees. A vehicle problem that might normally be a minor inconvenience can quickly become a life-threatening emergency in Death Valley. Visitors should carry plenty of water and emergency supplies, remain near air conditioning during extreme heat and think very carefully before leaving a disabled vehicle in the summer desert.

*French Tourist Dies After Vehicle Gets Stuck In Death Valley* A trip through Death Valley National Park ended tragically after a 68-year-old French tourist died when his vehicle became stuck in mud on a remote road during extreme heat. Pierre Michel Formosa and another visitor from France were traveling along West Side Road near Queen of Sheba Mine Road on August 17 when their vehicle became stuck. With no other vehicles nearby, the two began walking across the salt flats toward Badwater Road looking for help. Temperatures reached a staggering 116 degrees that afternoon. After walking approximately 1.3 miles, Formosa was unable to continue. His companion continued on and eventually found help, but rescuers later located Formosa deceased. The Inyo County coroner is determining his official cause of death. The tragedy is an important warning for anyone visiting Death Valley during the summer. You have to be extremely careful — Death Valley is the hottest place on Earth in the summer. In Furnace Creek, California, temperatures regularly climb above 120 degrees. A vehicle problem that might normally be a minor inconvenience can quickly become a life-threatening emergency in Death Valley. Visitors should carry plenty of water and emergency supplies, remain near air conditioning during extreme heat and think very carefully before leaving a disabled vehicle in the summer desert.

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