Man Dies in Death Valley Accident
- A man became the second person to lose their life due to extreme heat in Death Valley.
- He tragically drove his car off an embankment while suffering from hyperthermia.
- The incident highlights the dangers of the scorching temperatures in the desert valley.
Death Valley National Park has recorded its second heat-related fatality this summer, following the death of 57-year-old Peter Hayes Robino from Duarte, California. On August 1, temperatures soared to nearly 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.3 degrees Celsius). Witnesses reported seeing Robino stumble away from the Natural Bridge Trailhead, a one-mile roundtrip trail, where he declined assistance and exhibited confusion before driving off a 20-foot embankment. Emergency responders were alerted at 3:50 p.m. and arrived within 20 minutes to perform CPR and transport Robino to an air-conditioned ambulance. Symptoms of hyperthermia, which include confusion and lack of coordination, were evident in Robino's behavior. This incident follows a previous heat-related death in July, when a motorcyclist succumbed to extreme temperatures of 128 degrees Fahrenheit (53.3 degrees Celsius) while traveling through the park. In addition to these fatalities, the park has seen other heat-related incidents, including a European tourist suffering third-degree burns from walking barefoot on hot sand. Park officials emphasize the dangers of hiking in extreme heat, noting that emergency medical helicopters are unable to operate safely above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. To mitigate risks, park rangers advise visitors to avoid hiking after 10 a.m., remain within a short distance of air-conditioned vehicles, and stay hydrated by drinking water, consuming salty snacks, and wearing protective clothing.