Two incidents from the NPS Morning Report demonstrate the dangers of dehydration, a definite factor in many areas at this time of year....

Lake Mead National Recreation Area - NV, AZ
Bodies Of Two People Found In Stuck Minivan

The bodies of a man and woman from Golden Valley, Arizona, were found near Greggs Hideout in Lake Mead National Recreation Area on Sunday, August 2nd.

Park dispatch received a call just before 5 p.m. reporting that bodies of the two people were found in a minivan by a third party who was passing through.

Mohave County Sheriff’s Office deputies and National Park Service rangers responded and located the pair in a minivan that was stuck in the dirt on Salt Spring Wash Road. They appeared to have died from environmental exposure. Only two bottles of water were found at the scene and there was no cell phone coverage in the area.

The Mohave County Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death and confirm the victims’ identities. The incident is under investigation.

White Sands National Monument (NM)
Two French Visitors Die, Child Rescued

Two visitors from France died Tuesday afternoon while hiking the Alkali Flat Trail in White Sands National Monument. A child in the group was found alive, rescued by monument and local emergency personnel, and treated for heat exposure.

Park rangers discovered the three French nationals while on routine trail patrol approximately 1.5 miles from the Alkali Flat trailhead. The body of the woman was found about 5:30 p.m. and the man’s body and surviving boy about half an hour later. The daytime high temperature in the monument Tuesday reached 101 degrees F.

The deaths are being investigated by the Otero County (NM) Sheriff’s Office. French authorities were immediately notified and are assisting in the case.

What can we learn from these incidents? For starters, carry lots of water, especially in your vehicle where weight is a negligible factor. Extrication gear (i.e., shovel) is always a good idea.