A tourist in Arizona has died and his wife was rescued after their vehicle got two flat tires and they went missing in Death Valley National Park in California.
DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, Calif. – A Arizona tourist was killed and his wife was rescued Friday after their vehicle was hit by two flat tires and they went missing in California’s Death Valley National Park.
Alexander Lofgren, 32, and Emily Henkel, 27, were found on a steep ridge near Willow Creek in the desert park, but Lofgren was killed, according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Office of Inyo Creek.
Henkel was flown to Lemoore Naval Air Station for treatment, and there was no immediate word on her condition.
The Tucson residents, who are described as experienced campers, could not return from a camping trip on Sunday and were reported missing on Tuesday.
Authorities searched hotels and major tourist attractions along a highway and reviewed Lofgren’s itinerary.
Park staff found the couple’s missing Subaru on Wednesday. According to the sheriff, a note in the car read: “Two flat tires, which are on their way to Mormon Point, have water for three days.”
“This seems to be an important tip for looking for efforts,” the sheriff said.
On Thursday, the couple was spotted from the air, but crew members could not pick them up and could not reach them until Friday Friday shortly after 11:30 a.m., authorities said.
The cause of Lofgren’s death is being investigated.
“This has been a very difficult operation in a very unforgiving geographical area of Inyo County. I sincerely hope for healing and recovery for all involved,” Sheriff Jeff Hollowell said in the statement.
Death Valley, in the Mojave Desert in eastern California, is one of the hottest and driest places in the world. It peaked in the 90s this week.
The rugged park has claimed several lives over the years. In January, an experienced climber who had climbed down a gorge plunged to his death when he was caught in a rock slide.