According to the National Park Service, a Huntington Beach man died in Death Valley National Park after running out of gas and trying to walk for help during a dangerous heat wave.
According to the park service, David Kelleher was found about 30 feet off a highway in the park and less than 3 miles from his parked vehicle. There was a crumpled note inside his car.
The statement said that a park Ranger first encountered Kelleher on May 30 when he mentioned he was low on gas. The off-road driving citation was given to the man.
The park service reported that a park Ranger noticed a vehicle by itself in the lot of a popular viewpoint nine days after the interaction.
During a heat wave that peaked at 123 degrees on June 11th, the same Ranger recognized Kelleher's vehicle again alone in the lot. The vehicle was registered to a man but he had not been reported missing.
The park service said the search was limited because of the heat.
Three days later by park visitors about 30 feet from Highway 190, Kelleher wasobscured by terrain and a tree.
He was 212 miles north of his vehicle in the direction of the main village of the park, which has a gas station.
Death Valley has seen two deaths this summer: 69-year-old John McCarry was found dead on June 1.
After Peter Harootunian's abandoned vehicle was found at a Death Valley campground, the search for him continues.
People should wait by their cars for help in the heat, rather than walking for it. Death Valley National Park is a hot place.
The story was originally published in the LA Times.
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