News Release

Visitor dies traveling through Death Valley on motorcycle

Date: July 7, 2024
Contact: Nichole Andler
Contact: Jennette Jurado
Contact: Abby Wines, 760-786-3221

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. – A park visitor died in Death Valley National Park on July 6, from heat exposure near Badwater Basin. Another visitor was treated for severe heat illness and transported to advanced medical care in Las Vegas, four others were treated onsite and released. All 6 motorcyclists were members of the same party. Due to the high temperatures, emergency medical flight helicopters were unable to respond, as they cannot generally fly safely over 120 degrees.
 
Preliminary data recorded 128ºF (53.3ºC) as the high temperature on July 6. This surpassed the official daily record for Death Valley, 127F (52.8ºC) recorded in 2007.
 
“High heat like this can pose real threats to your health,” said Superintendent Mike Reynolds. “While this is a very exciting time to experience potential world record setting temperatures in Death Valley, we encourage visitors to choose their activities carefully, avoiding prolonged periods of time outside of an air-conditioned vehicle or building when temperatures are this high.”
 
The group of visitors was traveling by motorcycle. Once heat index of 99ºF (37.2ºC) is exceeded, ambient air no longer helps provide relief. Heat illness and injury are cumulative and can build over the course of a day or days. Besides not being able to cool down while riding due to high ambient air temperatures, experiencing Death Valley by motorcycle when it is this hot is further challenged by the necessary heavy safety gear worn to reduce injuries during an accident.
 
Extreme heat can be dangerous. Avoid the sun and seek shade or air-conditioning during the hottest part of the day. Wear loose fitting lightweight clothing, sunscreen, hat and consider carrying a sun umbrella. Drink plenty of water and eat salty snacks.  Hiking is not recommended during this heatwave, especially at lower elevations.
 
National Park Service emergency responders were assisted by Pahrump Valley Fire Department, Death Valley Natural History Association, Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, Inyo County Coroner, and the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District.

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Updated information:
 

Six men from Germany were visiting Death Valley National Park on motorcycles on Saturday, July 6. They were about two miles south of Badwater Basin when several of them experienced issues with heat. There is no cell phone service in the area. 

1. Man not transported from Badwater Basin, declared deceased at the scene by park rangers.  

2. Man transported by "good Samaritan" 19 miles to Furnace Creek Visitor Center. He lost consciousness, was transported by ambulance 62 miles to Desert View Hospital in Pahrump, NV. (Note: it was too hot for the air ambulance to fly to Furnace Creek). He was then flown by helicopter from Pahrump to a larger hospital in Las Vegas.  

3. Man transported by "good Samaritan" 19 miles to Furnace Creek Visitor Center, treated for heat exhaustion, then released. 

4. Man transported by "good Samaritan" 19 miles to Furnace Creek Visitor Center, treated for heat exhaustion, then released. 

5. Man declined medical assistance. 

6. Man declined medical assistance. 

Due to the high temperatures, emergency medical flight helicopters were unable to respond, as they cannot generally fly safely over 115ºF. 

• The man that died was declared dead on scene; park rangers would not have called a helicopter for him.  

• Rangers did request a helicopter for the man that was transported by ambulance to Pahrump, but it was too hot for the helicopter to safely fly.