Officials confirmed that a 57-year-old man passed away due to heat exposure at Death Valley National Park earlier this month, marking the second heat-related death at the park this summer.
The man, identified as Peter Hayes Robino from Los Angeles County, tragically lost his life after completing a 1-mile round-trip hike on Natural Bridge Trail, as reported by park officials. Witnesses observed him stumbling and appearing disoriented, but he refused assistance.
RELATED STORY | California’s Death Valley is reaching deathly high temperatures
Robino later drove his vehicle off a 20-foot embankment at the edge of the trailhead’s parking lot. Park rangers arrived promptly and made efforts to save his life, but unfortunately, Robino was ultimately pronounced deceased.
An autopsy conducted by the Inyo County Coroner revealed that the cause of death was hyperthermia.
RELATED STORY | Sunday, July 21 was the hottest day ever measured on Earth
Back in July, a motorcyclist succumbed to heat exposure while visiting the park, with another being hospitalized.
Known as one of the hottest locations on the planet, Death Valley officials continually advise visitors to steer clear of the extreme heat and stay hydrated.
