Tragic news out of Death Valley National Park, where 65-year-old unidentified California man was found dead in his car earlier this week, suffering from apparent heat-related illness.
According to an NPS press release, a maintenance worker noticed a vehicle around 30 yards off the road at 10:01am on Monday, June 3. When he approached the car, he found the San Diego man unresponsive. National Park rangers, Inyo County Sherrif’s Office, and Inyo County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene.
“The sedan’s tracks ran along the road shoulder and rocky berm before veering further away from the paved road. The vehicle did not crash but had two flat tires when stopped. The initial investigation suggests that heat-related illness may have caused the driver to run off road.” – National Park Service
The high temperature in the area on Sunday, June 2, was 126°F, and the overnight low was 98°F. The man’s car appeared to have dysfunctional air-conditions, and the driver’s side window was down.
CBS News reports that Monday marked Earth’s hottest day on record, with the temperature average breaching 62.6°F for the first time in history. July 10, 1913, marked the hottest air temperature ever recorded in the National Park, with thermometers reaching a brutal 134°F. That same heat wave produced five consecutive days of temperatures over 129°F.
Those planning a trip to Death Valley should ensure that they’ve read any safety and park rules. Make sure that you drink at least a gallon of water a day, and carry plenty of extra water in your car. Ensure that you stay on paved roads, and stay with your car if it brakes down. Additionally, plan your route ahead of time and understand that your GPS may take you in the wrong direction.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased.
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Image Credit: Death Valley National Park via Facebook