Tragic Tour Bus Collision Near Yellowstone Claims Seven Lives

On Thursday evening, a crash on a busy highway leading to the park turned deadly, prompting an extensive response from emergency services.

A devastating accident unfolded near Yellowstone National Park on Thursday evening, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals and injuries to eight others. The incident occurred around 19:15 local time when a Chevy pickup truck collided with a van carrying 14 tourists on a major highway in eastern Idaho, according to state police. Eyewitness accounts report both vehicles engulfed in flames and chaos on the scene as bystanders attempted to assist the victims.

Local resident Roger Merrill, one of the witnesses, shared with CBS News the alarming sight he encountered on his way home, noting the incessant smoke and fire originating from the wreckage. He remarked on the treacherous nature of the highway, particularly as it serves as a busy route to the entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

The aftermath of the crash necessitated a seven-hour closure of the highway while emergency personnel tended to the injured and worked to clear the wreckage. Law enforcement has indicated that the cause of the accident remains under investigation, and the local coroner will release the names of the deceased once their families are informed.

Yellowstone National Park, renowned as the nation's oldest national park, spans approximately 3,500 square miles across Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. With an annual influx of about four million visitors, the park is especially popular from May to September, leading to increased traffic on surrounding roads during peak tourist season.