At least seven people were killed and eight others were injured after a violent accident between a pickup truck and a tour vehicle near Yellowstone National Park, Idaho State Police(ISP) confirmed.
The accident occurred around 7:15 p.m. Thursday (local time) on Highway 20, near Henry Lake and the west entrance to the park, an area of high tourist traffic during this time of year.
Confirmed details
According to the official ISP report, the collision near Yellowstone involved a private van and a tourist vehicle carrying 14 people.
As a result of the impact, six occupants of the passenger car and the driver of the pickup truck died at the scene.
The accident occurred around 7:15 p.m. on Thursday
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The remaining eight people in the tour group were transported with injuries of varying severity to local medical centers.
So far, no names, ages or nationalities of the victims have been released.
Authorities continue to notify affected families.
Road closure
The accident forced the total closure of Highway 20 for almost seven hours.
Emergency personnel, firefighters and Idaho Transportation Department crews were working at the scene to treat the injured, remove the involved vehicles and clean up debris.
The road is one of the busiest routes to Yellowstone, particularly in spring and summer, when thousands of tourists visit the area from different parts of the country and the world.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Authorities have not confirmed whether it was human error, adverse weather conditions or mechanical failure.
PSI asked drivers to exercise caution, especially on tourist routes where high traffic volumes are combined with rural two-way stretches.
For Hispanics visiting Yellowstone – one of the most popular natural destinations for Latino families in the U.S. – this accident highlights the importance of road safety.
As well as the use of seat belts and the hiring of certified and regulated tourist transportation.
For more information, visit QueOnnda.com.
