A deadly crash involving a tour van and a pickup truck near the western entrance of Yellowstone National Park left seven people dead and eight others injured, according to a statement released Friday by the Idaho State Police.
As The New York Post reported, the collision occurred just before 7:15 p.m. Thursday evening, approximately 16 miles outside the park’s boundary. Authorities confirmed that both the van and the Dodge Ram pickup truck caught fire following the impact.
Six of the deceased were among the 14 passengers inside the tour van, while the seventh was the driver of the pickup.
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Emergency crews responded to the scene on U.S. Highway 20, a well-traveled route that stretches across eastern Idaho and into Wyoming. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
“It is a very dangerous highway,” said Roger Merrill, 60, who witnessed the aftermath of the collision. Merrill said he captured video of the scene, which showed the red pickup heavily damaged and the tour van fully engulfed in flames.
A thick column of black smoke could be seen rising above the vehicles as paramedics and fire crews rushed toward the wreckage.
Merrill said he and several bystanders attempted to assist survivors before emergency responders arrived.
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“It took an unnervingly long time for help to arrive just because of the location,” he added, noting that the remote stretch of highway slowed response efforts.
#BREAKING Yellowstone national PARK CRASH leaves 7 dead after two vehicles collided and burst into flames
A tour van collision left at least seven dead near Yellowstone National Park after both vehicles caught on fire on Thursday evening.
A deadly collision near Yellowstone… pic.twitter.com/djEplTYj9h
— SANTINO (@MichaelSCollura) May 2, 2025
Authorities have not released the names or nationalities of the victims pending identification and notification of family members.
Idaho State Police, in coordination with local fire departments and the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses.
The identities of the tour group and the tour company involved have also not been disclosed. It is unclear whether the van was heading to or leaving Yellowstone National Park at the time of the crash.
Highway 20 was temporarily closed in both directions late Thursday as emergency crews responded to the scene and cleared the wreckage. The road has since reopened, although investigators are expected to return to the area to conduct further analysis.
Breaking: Tragic Crash near #HenrysLake, Idaho
7 people are dead after a fiery collision between a tour van and pickup on U.S. Hwy 20. Both vehicles caught fire. 6 tour passengers and the truck driver were killed.
Identities not yet released. #Idaho #Yellowstone pic.twitter.com/T347PP34j9
— Homskyra (@homskyra) May 2, 2025
Yellowstone National Park, which spans portions of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, is one of the most visited national parks in the country, drawing millions of tourists each year, especially during the summer months.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has not yet confirmed whether it will launch an independent investigation into the crash.
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