Park rangers believe the 42-year-old man visiting from Belgium was taking a short walk at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes , a popular area of the park known for its dramatic sunrises and sunsets and named after the mesquite trees that grow there. It's unknown whether his flip flops broke or were lost in the sand, leading him to be barefoot on the hot surface.
"The ground temperature would have been much hotter that air temperature, which was around 123°F," NPS said in the release.
The man's family called for help, and park rangers carried him to the parking lot.
The National Park Service ambulance and Mercy Air’s air ambulance at the landing zone at 3,000 feet just east of Death Valley National Park’s CA-190 east entrance. NPS
Due to the severity of the burns and his pain, the park rangers determined that the man needed immediate hospital care. Third-degree burns damage layers of the skin down to the tissue, possibly the nerve endings too. The bones, muscles and tendons might also be affected.
The extreme temperatures in Death Valley made it unsafe for the medevac helicopter to land, and the man was transported in an ambulance to a landing zone at a higher elevation with a slightly cooler temperature. There, a helicopter was able to pick him up and take him to University Medical Center in Las Vegas.
Park rangers have been warning visitors about Death Valley's extreme heat this summer, with temperatures ranging between 100°F and 130°F. Located primarily in California, Death Valley is the hottest, driest and lowest national park , making it notable for travelers, but also dangerous.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes NPS
Earlier this month, a motorcyclist died of heat exposure in the park as temperatures broke a record high of 128°F. The rider was part of a group of six other motorcyclists traversing the park, and one other had to be hospitalized for severe heat illness. Four of the riders were treated within the park and released.
"Park rangers recommend that summer travelers to Death Valley National Park stay within a 10 minute walk of an air conditioned vehicle, not hike after 10 a.m., drink plenty of water, eat salty snacks, and wear a hat and sunscreen," NPS said.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Comments / 0