Man dies in Death Valley as California national park swelters in extreme heat

Hikers turn back to their vehicles in Golden Canyon in Death Valley national park, California, earlier this month. Photograph: Ty ONeil/AP

A 71-year-old man collapsed and died in Death Valley on Tuesday as temperatures in the valley – the point of lowest elevation in North America as well as one of the hottest places in the world – reached at least 121F (49.4C).

“Heat may have been a factor in his death,” Death Valley national park officials said in a press release.