EBS STAFF
Seven people have died following a fiery crash on U.S. Highway 20 near Henry’s Lake in Island Park, Idaho, on May 1.
Just after 7 p.m. on Thursday evening, around mile marker 399, a Dodge pickup truck, traveling westbound, was involved in an accident with a Mercedes van traveling eastbound. The van was transporting 14 people–12 individuals of Chinese nationality and one of Italian nationality–as a part of a tour group traveling to Yellowstone National Park. The van caught on fire shortly after the crash. The driver of the pickup truck, as well as six people in the van, have died.
U.S. 20 was fully closed for seven hours while emergency responders and the Idaho Transportation Department worked to manage the scene and clear the roadway, according to a press release from the Idaho State Police. One air ambulance and additional air and ground resources were dispatched to transport those severely injured to Bozeman and Idaho Falls. The remaining individuals were transported by ground ambulance to area hospitals with injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.
“Next-of-kin notifications are ongoing and coordinated with appropriate local and international authorities. Due to the international nature of those involved, the process is complex and will take additional time,” explained a May 3 update from ISP. “ISP troopers continue to work closely with Ctour Holiday LLC and remain in contact with the Consulates of China and Italy as the investigation progresses.”
The cause of the crash remains under investigation with ISP and assistance from local and regional partners.
