By admin 
A visitor from France died at Death Valley National Park trying to walk across salt flats in 116-degree heat after his vehicle became stuck in mud, rangers said.
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Pierre Michel Formosa, 68, and his travel companion, both from France, were stranded Aug. 17 when their vehicle became stuck in mud on West Side Road, rangers said in an Aug. 21 news release.
Formosa and his companion tried to walk across salt flats to another road for help, but after shortly over a mile he was unable to continue, rangers said.
His companion continued to the road and a passing motorist assisted him to a visitor center, where he reported Formosa missing about 2 p.m.
National Park Service rangers and an Inyo County deputy began searching for Formosa. A California Highway Patrol helicopter joining the search spotted Formosa’s body later that afternoon.
“This is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly conditions here can turn dangerous,” Mike Reynolds, superintendent of the national park, said in the release.
“Death Valley is an extraordinary place, but its heat, distances, and remoteness can be dangerous, regardless of experience,” he said.
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Death Valley is in eastern California, bordering Nevada, and is in the northern Mojave Desert. According to the Park Service’s site, it has some of the hottest temperatures ever recorded on earth.
What to know about extreme heat
When temperatures are extremely high, some people’s bodies can have trouble regulating temperature.
In some cases, people can experience heat exhaustion and have muscle cramps, nausea, weakness and cold or clammy skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If heat exhaustion persists for too long, however, it can lead to heatstroke, the most serious form of heat injury. People experiencing heatstroke can have hot, red, dry or damp skin. They also can have a fast and strong pulse, and they can become confused.
People should move indoors immediately and call 911 right away if they have symptoms.
If people choose to hike or be outdoors in dangerously hot temperatures, officials recommend the following tips:
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- Carry and drink plenty of water and plan to replenish electrolytes.
- Eat twice as much food as normal and have salty foods on hand.
- Carry a first-aid kit.
- Pack essentials only.
- Bring a flashlight with spare batteries to hike during the cool evening.
- Spray yourself with water to cool down.
- Have a hat and sunscreen as protection from the sun.
- Have a whistle or signal for emergency use.
- Wear waterproof clothing if needed.