In a heartbreaking incident near Yellowstone National Park, a collision between a pickup truck and a tour van resulted in the deaths of seven individuals and left eight others injured. According to the Idaho State Police, the tragic accident occurred just before 7:15 p.m. on a Thursday evening on a highway close to Henry’s Lake State Park, which is approximately 16 miles (26 kilometers) west of Yellowstone.
Both vehicles involved in the collision caught fire following the impact, as reported by the Idaho State Police. The driver of the Dodge Ram pickup truck, along with six passengers in the Mercedes passenger van, lost their lives in this devastating crash. The van was carrying a tour group consisting of 14 individuals, and those who survived were promptly transported to local hospitals to receive medical attention for their injuries. Police spokesman Aaron Snell confirmed the details in a press release.
Emergency paramedics and air ambulances rushed to the scene to assist with the aftermath of the collision, which remains under investigation. As of Friday morning, the Fremont County coroner’s office had not released the names of the deceased. Authorities are still in the process of notifying the family members of those affected, which has delayed the release of names, ages, hometowns, and nationalities of the individuals involved in this tragic accident.
Roger Merrill, a 60-year-old resident who witnessed the scene unfold, described the flames engulfing the two vehicles while bystanders attempted to help survivors from the van. Merrill noted that he frequently sees tourist vans traveling on the highway leading to Yellowstone National Park. “It is a very dangerous highway because it leads to the main entrance of Yellowstone,” he stated. “It’s extremely busy.” Merrill even managed to capture video footage of the wreckage, showcasing the smoke that enveloped the van.
Due to the remote location of the accident, Merrill expressed his concern over the delay in emergency response, stating, “It took an unnervingly long time for help to arrive just because of the location.”
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with busy tourist routes, especially those leading to popular destinations like Yellowstone National Park. As investigations continue, the community mourns the loss of those lives affected by this catastrophic collision.
