7 Killed in Tour Van Crash Near Yellowstone National Park, Police Confirm
A tragic accident near Yellowstone National Park has left seven people dead after a tour van and a pickup truck collided along a remote stretch of highway in eastern Idaho, authorities confirmed Friday.
The crash happened Thursday evening around 7:15 p.m. on U.S. Highway 20 near Henry’s Lake State Park, just 16 miles from the Yellowstone border. According to Idaho State Police, a Dodge Ram pickup truck and a Mercedes tour van collided at milepost 399 in what turned into a deadly scene.
Deadly Impact Near Yellowstone Border
“There were 14 people in the van and one person—the driver—in the truck,” ISP said in a statement. “Six passengers from the van and the pickup driver died at the scene.”
The tour van was reportedly carrying a group traveling near the popular national park. Authorities have not yet released names, ages, or nationalities of the victims as next-of-kin notifications are still underway. The Fremont County Coroner’s Office is expected to release those details when confirmed.
Witnesses Recall Flames, Chaos, and Delays
Roger Merrill, a local resident who drove past the scene, told the Associated Press he saw both vehicles engulfed in flames as bystanders tried to help survivors. “It was horrific,” he said. “There were people lying on the roadside, and fire consuming both vehicles.”
Merrill also noted the challenge of getting help in such a remote area. “It took a worryingly long time for first responders to arrive. It’s just so far out,” he added.
Investigation Ongoing, Road Reopened
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. Emergency crews and the Idaho Transportation Department worked through the night, keeping the highway fully shut down for nearly seven hours to clear the wreckage and assist victims.
U.S. Highway 20 has since been reopened to traffic.
Tourism traffic is especially heavy on this stretch of highway as spring kicks off the national park travel season. Highway 20 is a known route for vans shuttling visitors to Yellowstone and other nearby natural attractions.
No further details have been released at this time, and state police say updates will follow as the investigation develops.
