A man driving in Death Valley National Park died from heat exposure after driving his car off a 20-foot embankment, according to the National Park Service.
A man driving in Death Valley National Park died from heat exposure after driving his car off a 20-foot embankment, according to the National Park Service (NPS).
The victim, identified as 57-year-old Peter Hayes Robino of Los Angeles, drove his car off the embankment on Aug. 1, the NPS said. Bystanders told authorities that they saw Robino stumbling towards his car before the incident. They offered to help, but he declined, and his responses did not make sense, according to the NPS.
Man Dies from Heat Exposure After Driving Off Embankment in Death Valley National Park
Robino got into his car and drove off the steep embankment at the edge of the parking lot. The car rolled over and airbags deployed, the NPS said.
A bystander called 911 after witnessing the incident and another went down the embankment and helped Robino out of the crashed vehicle.
Man Dies from Heat Exposure After Driving Off Embankment in Death Valley National Park
NPS emergency responders arrived on scene and found Robino breathing. They started CPR and moved him into the air-conditioned ambulance. Robino was declared dead at 4:42 p.m.
An autopsy conducted by the Inyo County Coroner revealed that Robino died of hyperthermia.
Man Dies from Heat Exposure After Driving Off Embankment in Death Valley National Park
The NPS said that the national park was 119 degrees Fahrenheit that afternoon.
"My condolences go out to Mr. Robino's family and friends," said Superintendent Mike Reynolds, who was one of the EMTs that responded to the incident. "His death serves as a reminder not to underestimate the dangers of extreme heat."
Man Dies from Heat Exposure After Driving Off Embankment in Death Valley National Park
This was the second heat-related death this summer at Death Valley National Park, according to park officials.
Symptoms of overheating include confusion, irritability, and lack of coordination.
Man Dies from Heat Exposure After Driving Off Embankment in Death Valley National Park
Park rangers in Death Valley National Park advise that summer visitors:
* Avoid the heat by staying in or near air-conditioning
* Do not hike after 10 am at low elevations
* Drink plenty of water
* Eat salty snacks.
