Death Valley National Park is known for sweltering temperatures year-round, and over the weekend, temperatures soared to nearly 130 degrees Fahrenheit and set a new daily record. Visitors flocked to various parts of the park to experience the momentous day, but it ended in tragedy for one group of motorcyclists.
According to the National Park Service, a group of six motorcyclists were near Badwater Basin on July 6 as temperatures in the park peaked at 128 degrees. One of the motorcyclists died from the extreme heat, while another was taken to a hospital in Las Vegas to be treated for severe heat illness. The other four were treated in the park; the deceased biker's exact cause of death is being determined by a medical examiner.
"Due to the high temperatures, emergency medical flight helicopters were unable to respond, as they cannot generally fly safely over 120 degrees," the NPS said in a statement, per USA Today.
Park rangers pointed out that heat exhaustion doesn't have to be caused by just spending a few minutes outside on a hot day.
"Heat illness and injury are cumulative and can build over the course of a day or days," they said. "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."
If you plan to visit Death Valley this summer, be sure to heed park officials' warnings about staying safe during your time there.
"High heat like this can pose real threats to your health," NPS superintendent Mike Reynolds said. "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."
