Tragedy at Yellowstone: Seven dead in serious traffic accident

Tragedy at Yellowstone: Seven dead in serious traffic accident

A tragic traffic accident near Yellowstone National Park claimed seven lives on Thursday evening, May 2, 2025. The accident occurred near Henry's Lake, in eastern Idaho, when a pickup truck and a van carrying 14 passengers collided. Six people from the minibus and the driver of the pickup truck died at the scene, while the injured were immediately transported to various hospitals by helicopter. The identity of the victims and their nationality are not yet known. The affected highway is heavily used and leads to one of the entrances to Yellowstone National Park, which attracts millions of visitors annually.

In another tragic twist, a serious accident occurred in Yellowstone National Park itself when a tanker truck overturned on Friday, resulting in the loss of an estimated over 18,000 liters of fuel. An investigation is underway to determine whether the fuel entered Grayling Creek, which flows into Hebgen Lake in Montana. Fortunately, there were no injuries in this incident. Highway 191, where the accident occurred, was partially closed Friday evening for cleanup to eliminate hazards and protect the environment. According to RND, measures must now be taken to minimize possible environmental damage.

Challenges for national parks

In parallel with these incidents, national parks in the United States, including Yellowstone National Park, are facing significant difficulties. A record 331 million visitors were recorded in 2024. But due to mass layoffs, which also affected park rangers and other staff, there is a shortage of workers for essential services such as garbage disposal and tours. Environmental groups are already using the tense conditions to organize protests against the scandalous layoffs of employees, with uncertainty over park accessibility affecting many tourists' vacation plans. This situation could potentially result in significant financial losses for the region, as many holidaymakers have difficulty booking tours and finding information on ticket sales.

In addition to the job losses, President Trump's administration plans to close 34 national park offices, raising further concerns about the conservation and safety of the parks. Environmental organizations have warned about the long-term consequences of these measures and emphasized the importance of securing resources to protect national parks. The focus on maintaining and improving infrastructure could influence future visitor flows and thus also the economic situation in the affected areas. The current state of national parks highlights the challenges facing this important part of America's heritage.