Chinese and Italian tourists killed in crash at Yellowstone Park

Seven people, including Chinese and Italian tourists, have been reported dead, on Saturday, May 3, 2025, following a tragic crash involving a tour van and a pickup truck near Yellowstone National Park on Thursday.

The collision occurred on a busy highway in eastern Idaho and resulted in both vehicles catching fire.

According to U.S. authorities, the crash involved a Dodge Ram pickup truck and a Mercedes van transporting 14 tourists.

Idaho State Police (ISP) confirmed that eight people were injured in the accident.

Tragically, six passengers from the van and the pickup driver lost their lives.

Chinese state media reported that five of the deceased were Chinese citizens.

The Idaho State Police stated that 12 Chinese nationals and one Italian citizen were traveling in the van at the time of the collision. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

The incident occurred on a road frequently used by tourists heading to Yellowstone, which is currently in its peak visitor season.

The collision caused significant delays as emergency services responded.

“The crash resulted in the deaths of six individuals in the van and the driver of the pickup,” ISP said in a statement on Friday.

The Chinese state news agency Xinhua confirmed the fatalities of five Chinese citizens, citing information from the Chinese consulate in San Francisco.

In a statement, the consulate expressed “deep condolences for the dead and sincere sympathy to the injured and the families of those affected.”

Chinese diplomats are reportedly in communication with the victims’ families and those injured, and have requested a thorough investigation from U.S. authorities.

Fremont County coroner Brenda Dye told The New York Times that two of the deceased were from Italy, although this has not been officially confirmed by the police.

Authorities identified the driver of the pickup truck as 25-year-old Isaiah Moreno from Texas.

He was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The identity of the tour van driver, who is licensed in California, has not been disclosed.

“Next-of-kin notifications are underway and are being coordinated with relevant local and international authorities,” the Idaho State Police noted.

It added that due to the involvement of multiple nationalities, the identification and notification process will take more time.

ISP also said they are working in close cooperation with Ctour Holiday LLC, the travel company that organized the tour, as well as the consulates of China and Italy.

Idaho Governor Brad Little posted on X (formerly Twitter) expressing his condolences.

He said that the state is “working closely with local officials to get answers on what led to this terrible tragedy.”

Due to the severity of the injuries sustained by some of the victims, air ambulances were used to transport them to nearby hospitals.

A photo shared by a passerby captured the aftermath of the crash, showing heavy smoke and flames engulfing the wreckage.

Roger Merrill, a local resident who witnessed the aftermath, said he was driving home when he came across the scene.

He recalled seeing both vehicles ablaze and several bystanders attempting to help the injured on the roadside.

He also pointed out the dangers of the highway, saying, “It is a very dangerous highway because it leads to the main entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

“It’s extremely busy.”

Emergency services closed the road for approximately seven hours to treat the injured and clear the debris.

The crash site is located roughly 16 miles (25 kilometers) from one of Yellowstone’s entrances.

Yellowstone National Park, the oldest in the United States, spans nearly 3,500 square miles across Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana.

According to the National Park Service, it attracts around four million visitors each year, with the majority visiting between May and September.

As investigations continue, the tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers on busy tourist routes, especially during the high season.

Authorities are working to determine the exact cause and prevent similar tragedies in the future.

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