A tragic accident near Yellowstone National Park has left seven people dead and eight others injured after a tour bus collided with a pickup truck on Thursday evening. The crash, reported around 7:15 PM local time (02:15 GMT), occurred on a busy highway leading into the park during peak tourist season, according to state police.
Tragic Bus Collision Claims Seven Lives Near Yellowstone National Park
Tragic Bus Collision Claims Seven Lives Near Yellowstone National Park
A devastating collision involving a tour bus and a truck results in multiple fatalities and injuries, sparking urgent investigations.
Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene, with flames engulfing both vehicles involved. The tragedy unfolded when a Chevy pickup truck collided with a van carrying 14 tourists. The impact was severe, resulting in the deaths of the truck driver and six passengers in the van. Emergency services responded quickly, closing the highway for several hours to attend to the victims and manage the wreckage, approximately 16 miles from Yellowstone’s entrance.
Local resident Roger Merrill, who witnessed the incident, reported seeing flames and smoke, and he noted that bystanders were attempting to assist the survivors. "It's a very dangerous highway because it leads to the main entrance of Yellowstone National Park," Merrill stated, highlighting the heavy traffic that characterizes this route during the summer months.
As authorities begin their investigation into the crash's cause, the local coroner's office is working to notify the victims' families before releasing their names. Yellowstone National Park, renowned for its expansive wilderness and geothermal features, attracts millions of visitors each year, especially during the summer peak. National Park Service records show it draws an average of four million tourists annually, making this road well-traveled and often congested.
Local resident Roger Merrill, who witnessed the incident, reported seeing flames and smoke, and he noted that bystanders were attempting to assist the survivors. "It's a very dangerous highway because it leads to the main entrance of Yellowstone National Park," Merrill stated, highlighting the heavy traffic that characterizes this route during the summer months.
As authorities begin their investigation into the crash's cause, the local coroner's office is working to notify the victims' families before releasing their names. Yellowstone National Park, renowned for its expansive wilderness and geothermal features, attracts millions of visitors each year, especially during the summer peak. National Park Service records show it draws an average of four million tourists annually, making this road well-traveled and often congested.
