**A collision between a tour bus and a truck near Yellowstone National Park resulted in seven fatalities and multiple injuries, raising serious questions about road safety as the tourist season peaks amid ongoing investigations.**
**Tragic Tour Bus Collision Claims Seven Lives Near Yellowstone National Park**
**Tragic Tour Bus Collision Claims Seven Lives Near Yellowstone National Park**
**A devastating crash involving a tour bus and truck near Yellowstone has left seven dead and eight injured, highlighting safety concerns on the busy highway leading to the park.**
The tragic incident unfolded Thursday evening when a pickup truck and a tour van carrying 14 tourists collided on a highway near Yellowstone National Park, claiming the lives of seven individuals and injuring eight others. State police reported the accident occurred at around 7:15 p.m. local time (02:15 GMT), with further details revealing that both vehicles caught fire upon impact.
The collision left the driver of the pickup truck and six van passengers dead, with local law enforcement launching an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Eyewitness Roger Merrill recounted his harrowing experience when he saw the incident unfold. He noted the intense flames and smoke, with bystanders attempting to assist survivors on the side of the highway, which is notorious for its hazardous conditions leading to the entrance of Yellowstone.
"This highway can be very dangerous, especially with the influx of tourists," Merrill expressed, emphasizing the high traffic volume in the summer months as visitors flock to the renowned national park. Emergency personnel worked diligently for seven hours, addressing victims’ needs and clearing the wreckage approximately 16 miles from Yellowstone’s entrance.
As the local coroner's office prepares to disclose the identities of the deceased after notifying their families, the tragic event casts a shadow over the bustling tourist season. Yellowstone National Park, established as the US's oldest national park, spans approximately 3,500 square miles across Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana, attracting around four million visitors each year, with peak visitation occurring between May and September.
The collision left the driver of the pickup truck and six van passengers dead, with local law enforcement launching an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Eyewitness Roger Merrill recounted his harrowing experience when he saw the incident unfold. He noted the intense flames and smoke, with bystanders attempting to assist survivors on the side of the highway, which is notorious for its hazardous conditions leading to the entrance of Yellowstone.
"This highway can be very dangerous, especially with the influx of tourists," Merrill expressed, emphasizing the high traffic volume in the summer months as visitors flock to the renowned national park. Emergency personnel worked diligently for seven hours, addressing victims’ needs and clearing the wreckage approximately 16 miles from Yellowstone’s entrance.
As the local coroner's office prepares to disclose the identities of the deceased after notifying their families, the tragic event casts a shadow over the bustling tourist season. Yellowstone National Park, established as the US's oldest national park, spans approximately 3,500 square miles across Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana, attracting around four million visitors each year, with peak visitation occurring between May and September.
