Heatwave: Man Dies As Temperatures Hit 50C

A man has died and dozens more have been treated in hospital during a heatwave in the western United States.

The temperature in Phoenix, Arizona, hit 48.3C, while in Las Vegas, Nevada, the mercury rose to 46C, two degrees short of the city's all-time record.

Large swathes of California also sweltered in the extreme heat, although temperatures in Death Valley were around 3C cooler than the 53C that was forecast.

The area's record high of 56.6C, set a century ago, stands as the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth.

Temperatures reached 53C in Death Valley National Park

The first fatality of the heatwave was confirmed in Las Vegas, where paramedics found an elderly man inside a house without air conditioning.

Fire and rescue spokesman Tim Szymanski said the man had pre-existing medical issues, although the heat was thought to have worsened his condition.

Another elderly man suffered a heat stroke when the air conditioner in his car went out for several hours while he was on a long road trip.

He stopped in Las Vegas, called for help and was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

People in Los Angeles shelter under a parasol

More than 40 other people have been hospitalised in Las Vegas since the heatwave began on Friday, although no life-threatening injuries were reported.

"We will probably start to see a rise in calls on Sunday and Monday as the event prolongs," Mr Szymanski said in a statement.

"People's bodies will be more agitated the longer the event lasts and people may require medical assistance."

The heatwave is expected to last into Tuesday night and possibly longer.

To make matters worse, ocean breezes that would normally cool the region's valleys and deserts have not travelled far enough inland.

Cooling stations have been set up to shelter homeless and elderly people who cannot afford to run air conditioning units.

Rangers took up positions on trails around Lake Mead, Nevada, to persuade people not to hike, while zookeepers in Phoenix tried to keep animals cool, hosing down elephants and feeding tigers frozen fish snacks.

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