Authorities reported Monday that a 57-year-old man died from heat exposure while walking in Death Valley National Park, making it the second heat-related death in the area this summer.
On August 1, Peter Hayes Robino of Los Angeles County drove his car off a steep embankment after taking a 1-mile round walk, according to a National Park Service statement.
The temperature that day reached 119 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat in the area has hit 130 degrees this year, attracting tourists eager to see what is frequently the hottest site in America but prompting repeated warnings from park officials and health professionals.
According to the National Park Service, Robino finished the 1-mile Natural Bridge Trail, which is “easy to follow but very rocky.”
Witnesses observed him stumble after finishing the trip and tried to help, but he declined, and his statements made no sense, according to the park staff.
He then got into his car and drove off a 20-foot embankment at the edge of a parking lot shortly before 3:50 p.m. The park service published a photo of the extensively damaged automobile, which shows that its airbags were deployed during the incident.
Robino was able to move away and was led to a shaded spot by witnesses. He was still alive when first responders arrived at 4:10 p.m., but after receiving CPR and being transferred to an air-conditioned ambulance, he was pronounced dead at 4:42 p.m.
An autopsy revealed that he died from hyperthermia, which can cause confusion, agitation, and loss of coordination.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to Mr. Robino’s family and friends,” said park Superintendent Mike Reynolds, a first responder called to the site. “His death serves as a reminder not to underestimate the dangers of extreme heat.”
Last month, a motorcyclist died from probable heat exposure in Death Valley, while another was hospitalized with severe heat illness. Another traveler was treated at a nearby hospital for third-degree burns on his feet sustained last month in Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, which is located in the national park.
Visitors to Death Valley National Park are advised not to trek after 10 a.m. in low elevations, to remain in or near air conditioning where feasible, to drink plenty of water, and to avoid salty snacks.