A man who drove his car off a steep 20-foot embankment at the edge of a parking lot in Death Valley National Park died of heat exposure later that day, the National Park Service said Monday. It was other heat-related deaths this yesride the park known for scorching summer temperatures.
According to the park service, onlookers saw Peter Hayes Robino, 57, of Duarte, in Los Angeles County, stumble as he returned to Natural Bridge Trailhead after a mile round trip on August 1st.
The spectators offered to help Robino but he turned them down. They said his answers didn’t make sense.
Robino then got into his car and drove off the embankment. The car overturned and its airbags deployed.
National Park Service
“One bystander left to call 911. Other bystanders helped Robino walk back to the parking lot and provided shade,” the park service said.
Its emergency responders received a 911 call at 3:50 p.m. and arrived on the scene 20 minutes later.
Bystanders told them Robino was breathing until just before rangers arrived. NPS EMTs started CPR and moved Robino into the air-conditioned ambulance, but he was pronounced dead at 4:42 p.m.
An autopsy found the Inyo County Coroner that Robino died of hyperthermia.
Symptoms of overheating can include confusion, irritability and lack of coordination. The Furnace Creek weather station recorded 119 degrees that afternoon.
“My condolences go out to Mr. Robino’s family and friends,” said Superintendent Mike Reynolds, who was one of the EMTs who responded. “His death serves as a reminder not to underestimate the dangers of extreme heat.”
Death Valley National Park rangers recommend that summer visitors:
- Avoid the heat by staying in or near the air conditioner,
- Do not hike after 10 o’clock at low altitudes,
- Drink lots of water, and
- Eat salty snacks.