Seven people lost their lives in a devastating crash between a tour van and a pickup truck on U.S. Highway 20 in Idaho, near the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The accident occurred on a remote stretch of highway early Tuesday morning, shaking the local community and prompting a major emergency response.
According to the Idaho State Police, the tour van was carrying ten people when it collided head-on with a Dodge Ram truck that crossed the centerline. The impact killed six passengers and the driver of the van. Three other van occupants sustained critical injuries and were airlifted to nearby hospitals. The driver of the pickup truck survived with non-life-threatening injuries and is currently under investigation.
Authorities say weather conditions were clear at the time of the crash, and no immediate evidence of alcohol or drug use has been disclosed. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also expected to assist with the investigation due to the involvement of a commercial vehicle.
The tour group was reportedly on a sightseeing trip to Yellowstone, one of the most visited national parks in the U.S., drawing millions each year. Names of the victims have not yet been released, pending family notifications.
Local officials and Yellowstone National Park representatives expressed condolences to the victims’ families and urged drivers to use caution while traveling in the region.