A motorcyclist died of suspected heat exposure and another was hospitalized for severe heat illness on July 8, 2024, in Death Valley National Park amid record-breaking temperatures. The incident occurred near Badwater Basin, where the temperature reached a record-setting high of 128 degrees Fahrenheit.
The motorcyclist who died was not identified by age or gender. Four other riders were treated for heat stress at the scene, and one was transported to a Las Vegas hospital for severe heat illness. The condition of the hospitalized individual is unknown.
The Inyo County Coroner Office did not immediately respond to a request for information regarding the deceased motorcyclist.
The National Weather Service recorded a high temperature of 128 degrees Fahrenheit at Death Valley on July 8, surpassing the previous record of 127 degrees Fahrenheit set on July 6. The park service warned that temperatures were well above the threshold where ambient air provides little cooling to humans and advised visitors to avoid hiking after 10 a.m., be prepared for life-threatening heat by being vigilant about clothing, shade, and water intake, and note that cellphone reception is often nonexistent in Death Valley.
Motorcyclists often wear thick protective gear that makes cooling even more difficult. Helicopters serving as air ambulances are grounded when liftoff becomes difficult due to warmer air spreading molecules that favor wider wings or blades and herculean thrust. Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds urged visitors to choose their activities carefully, avoiding prolonged periods outside of an air-conditioned vehicle or building when temperatures are this high.
The heatwave has shattered temperature records across the US, with about 36 million people under excessive heat warnings in California, Nevada, Oregon, Phoenix, Salem, Lake Tahoe on the border of California and Nevada, and Reno. The National Weather Service warned of increased wildfire risks due to a mix of hot, dry conditions.
