BUCKEYE, AZ — A bicyclist was found dead in a desert area after what is believed to be a heat-related incident in Buckeye over the weekend.
Officials say a woman called police around 1:45 p.m. Sunday, telling them that her husband called because he had a flat tire while riding his bike near Sun City Festival. The couple had agreed to meet at a nearby fire station where she would pick him up, but he had not arrived.
Crews began searching for the man, who has since been identified as 73-year-old James Van de Voorde, and found his body in the desert.
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Officials say this incident appears to be a heat-related death, but the Medical Examiner's office will ultimately determine the cause of death.
According to a report released in June, 61.4% of heat-associated deaths in 2022 occurred among individuals over the age of 50 and males accounted for more than 80% of heat-associated death.
