Climate
Los Angeles man dies in Death Valley in 121-degree heat
Before collapsing Curry had been interviewed by the Los Angeles Times reporter at Zabirskie Point, about two miles from Golden Canyon, for a piece about extreme heat
July 21, 2023 12:17am
Updated: July 21, 2023 12:17am
A Los Angeles man died in a trailhead at Death Valley National Park after temperatures reached a scorching 121 degrees on Tuesday, officials announced.
The 71-year-old man was identified as Steven Curry from LA’s Sunland neighborhood. He was found on the ground outside the restroom at the Golden Canyon trailhead, the national park said in a statement.
Other park visitors found Curry and called 911. First responders arrived at the scene at around 3:47 p.m. However, despite providing life-saving measures, they were unable to revive him.
The cause of death will be determined by the Inyo County Coroner’s Office. However, Park rangers believe that “heat was a factor,” according to the statement.
On Tuesday, temperatures at Death Valley reached 121 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Officials added that “actual temperatures inside Golden Canyon were likely much higher, due to canyon walls radiating the sun’s heat.”
Before collapsing Curry had been interviewed by the Los Angeles Times reporter at Zabirskie Point, about two miles from Golden Canyon, for a piece about extreme heat.
“It’s a dry heat,” Curry described the weather to the reporter.
“Everything is hot here,” he added.
During his interview, he was photographed wearing a sun hat and had his face covered in sunscreen trying to take cover beneath a metal interpretive sign that offered only a small amount of shade.
Curry’s death is the second heat-related death that has happened in Death Valley this summer. On July 3, a 65-year-old man was found dead inside his vehicle.
Death Valley has experienced 28 days of temperatures over 110 degrees this year. With heat strokes commonly happening when temperatures reach over 104 degrees, park officials are warning visitors to stay safe if visiting the park.
“Park rangers encourage people to visit Death Valley safely in the summer by sightseeing short distances from their air-conditioned cars or hiking in the park’s cooler mountains. They do not recommend hiking at low elevations after 10:00 am.,” the statement said.
