Witnesses Recap the Scene
As the evening unfolded, local resident Roger Merrill witnessed the disastrous scene while driving home. "Both vehicles were on fire," he recounted, "and bystanders were trying to care for the survivors." The harrowing incident enforced the perception of the highway's danger as it serves as a major route to Yellowstone National Park. Authorities shut down the highway for around seven hours to manage the situation and facilitate the response from emergency services.
Impact on Yellowstone’s Tourism
With Yellowstone National Park being the oldest national park in the United States, covering almost 3,500 square miles across Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana, this incident is particularly alarming as it coincides with the start of peak tourist season. Each year, approximately four million visitors frequent the park, primarily from May to September. As investigations continue, the focus remains on the tragic loss of life and the need for enhanced safety measures on the highways leading to such heavily trafficked areas.
As the evening unfolded, local resident Roger Merrill witnessed the disastrous scene while driving home. "Both vehicles were on fire," he recounted, "and bystanders were trying to care for the survivors." The harrowing incident enforced the perception of the highway's danger as it serves as a major route to Yellowstone National Park. Authorities shut down the highway for around seven hours to manage the situation and facilitate the response from emergency services.
Impact on Yellowstone’s Tourism
With Yellowstone National Park being the oldest national park in the United States, covering almost 3,500 square miles across Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana, this incident is particularly alarming as it coincides with the start of peak tourist season. Each year, approximately four million visitors frequent the park, primarily from May to September. As investigations continue, the focus remains on the tragic loss of life and the need for enhanced safety measures on the highways leading to such heavily trafficked areas.
