Death valley motorcyclist succumbs to record-breaking heat
1:08 PM EDT, July 8, 2024
In Death Valley, California, a tragic incident occurred when one of the motorcyclists died due to the heat. On that fateful day, a group of six motorcyclists was traveling through Badwater Basin, the hottest part of the national park, where the temperature reached a scorching 128°F!
The motorcyclists were traveling through the Badwater Basin area when the tragedy occurred. The high temperatures, combined with the need to wear heavy protective gear essential for safety, further amplified the risk of overheating. One of the travelers paid the ultimate price for this.
The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, died at the scene from overheating. Another motorcyclist was transported to a hospital in Las Vegas. The remaining group members received assistance at the scene.
Extreme temperatures across the United States
The motorcyclist's death is another dramatic example of the impact of the prolonged heat wave that is breaking temperature records across the United States. According to meteorologist Bryan Jackson from the National Weather Service (NWS), extreme heat warnings have affected nearly 36 million people, about 10 percent of the country's population.
To further illustrate the gravity of the situation, this past weekend, temperatures in many regions of northern California exceeded 110°F. Extreme temperatures affected places such as Oregon, where several temperature records were broken, including in Salem, where the temperature reached 103°F. Extraordinary heat warnings even covered higher areas, such as the Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border.
Temperature close to credible world record
The Lubusz Storm Hunters reported that the temperature recorded on Saturday in Death Valley, USA, was 128°F, just 1.4°F lower than the credible world record.
The National Weather Service also warns of increased fire risk due to high temperatures, dry air, and wind. In southern California, residents were forced to evacuate some parts of Santa Barbara County due to the Lake Fire, which has burned over 13,000 acres since Friday.