logo
International tourists killed in vehicle crash were among millions drawn to the Yellowstone area

International tourists killed in vehicle crash were among millions drawn to the Yellowstone area

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The deaths of at least six Italian and Chinese tourists in a fiery van crash in Idaho near Yellowstone National Park are a reminder that the roads leading into the popular international destination can be as dangerous as the region's grizzly bears and boiling hot pools.
The van collided with a pickup truck Thursday on a highway just west of Yellowstone. Both vehicles caught fire, and the survivors were taken to hospitals with injuries, according to police. The tourists who were killed were from Italy and China, officials said.
The Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco said eight Chinese citizens were injured in the crash. The accident comes after a crash in 2019 of a bus from Las Vegas carrying Chinese tourists that rolled over near southern Utah's Bryce National Park, killing four people and injuring dozens more.
Where the van in Thursday's accident was coming from and going was unknown. Some Yellowstone roads, including the one south of Old Faithful — the park's most famous geyser — were still closed after the snowy winter.
The highway where the accident happened south of West Yellowstone, Mont., offers a route between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park at this time of year before a north-south route is plowed and the park fully opens for summer.
According to the most recent data from the International Trade Administration, 36% of international visitors who arrived to the U.S. by air listed visits to national parks and national monuments as their top leisure activity while in the U.S.
Seventeen percent of Yellowstone's visitors came from other countries in 2016, according to a park visitor use study with the most recent comprehensive data available.
Visitors from Europe and Asia accounted for the majority of travelers from outside the U.S., with 34% from China, 11% from Italy and 10% from Canada.
The COVID-19 pandemic changed those numbers significantly, said Brian Riley, whose Wyoming-based business, Old Hand Holdings, markets the Yellowstone region in China and runs tours.
'Every Chinese is taught how great Yellowstone is in their elementary school,' Riley said Friday.
The pandemic put a sharp brake on tourism of all kinds but especially from China, which has yet to recover, Riley observed. Now, most visits by Chinese are among those living in the U.S., he said.
'Foreigners in general, they don't feel safe over here like they did before,' Riley said. 'The Chinese are kind of preaching that behind the scenes.'
The U.S. tourism industry expected 2025 to be another good year for foreign visitors. But several months in, international arrivals have been plummeting. Angered by President Trump's tariffs and rhetoric, and alarmed by reports of tourists being arrested at the border, some citizens of other countries are staying away from the U.S. and choosing to travel elsewhere.
Riley, who grew up in Jackson, Wyo., just south of Grand Teton, lived in China for a time to study Mandarin and explore why Chinese wanted to visit the United States. He is more focused of late on getting Chinese tourists to visit Hawaii, a state perceived as less dangerous.
Yellowstone's crowds peak in the summer, but international tourism peaks in spring and fall, according to Riley and West Yellowstone Mayor Jeff McBirnie.
Many foreign visitors are parents of international students at U.S. colleges and universities.
'They're like, 'Hey, let's drop our kid off and go on vacation for a week.' Or a kid's graduating — 'Let's get them through college and go on vacation,' ' said McBirnie, who owns a pizza place in town. 'They really bring a huge economic impact to this town.'
Yellowstone suffered a one-two punch from the pandemic and devastating floods in 2022 that cut off access to parts of the park for months.
Tourism rebounded with 4.7 million visitors last year, Yellowstone's second-busiest on record.
Winding roads and natural distractions help fuel numerous accidents in and around the park.
The first death involving a passenger vehicle in Yellowstone came just a few years after the park was completely motorized and a fleet of buses replaced the stagecoaches and horses used for transport in the park's early years.
In 1921, a 10-passenger bus went off the road in the Fishing Bridge area of the park and down an embankment, killing a 38-year-old Texas woman, whose neck was broken, according to park historian Lee Whittlesey.
In his book 'Deaths in Yellowstone,' Whittlesey chronicles deaths by all means — drownings in hot springs, bear maulings, airplane crashes and murders. Auto deaths, Whittlesey wrote, are 'legion' in the park, to the point that he felt them too ordinary to include in his tally of fatalities.
Another accounting of deaths in Yellowstone says at least 17 people died inside the park in motor vehicle crashes since 2007, ranking it the second most common cause of deaths behind medical issues.
Whittlesey presaged the chapter of his book covering road deaths with a quote attributed to the 15th century soothsayer Mother Shipton: 'Carriages without horses shall go, And Accidents fill the world with woe.'
Gruver and Brown write for the Associated Press and reported from Cheyenne and Billings, Mont.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Chaos As Cruise Ship Window Shatters Raining Glass Onto Busy Pool Deck
Chaos As Cruise Ship Window Shatters Raining Glass Onto Busy Pool Deck

Newsweek

time34 minutes ago

  • Newsweek

Chaos As Cruise Ship Window Shatters Raining Glass Onto Busy Pool Deck

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Footage capturing the alarming moment a glass panel from a cruise ship restaurant suddenly fell onto a pool deck has captivated viewers on social media. The frightening incident unfolded aboard Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas cruise ship on June 8. The vessel was said to be turning to dock at its first scheduled stop in Port Canaveral, Florida. Tytti Tuliainen, a 40-year-old travel content creator from Finland, shared a view of the glass panel crashing onto the deck, with guests watching from the pool, in a video posted on her YouTube channel @TravelingFinnishGirl. Newsweek has contacted Royal Caribbean by email and @missdiane93 via TikTok for comment. This video has not been independently verified. The YouTuber was having lunch at a restaurant on the ship when she heard the window cracking. Tuliainen told Newsweek: "I was dining in the Coastal Kitchen above the pool deck when it happened." @missdiane93 This happened today on Symphony of the Seas! Great staff member noticed it and cleared the area. ♬ original sound - MissDiane Another view of the scene from the pool deck was captured in a video shared by TikTok user @missdiane93. The clip, which has amassed more than 3.8 million views since it was posted on June 9, shows the glass panel cracking before dropping onto sun loungers by the pool. A man is shown flinching and running away just as the glass drops, with the murmur of alarmed crowds heard in the background. A voice off-camera says: "That would have just hit us." Cruise travel continues to see strong growth in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era. A 2025 report by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) found that cruise passenger numbers are projected to reach 37.7 million in 2025. Eighty-two percent of cruisers are planning to cruise again, while 68 percent of international travelers are considering going on their first cruise. First-time cruisers were reported to be driving the growth, with 31 percent of passengers in the last two years being new to cruise, according to the CLIA. Users on Reddit also shared posts about the incident, including by u/ Smooth_J24 and u/ireadmorethenpost, who shared an image of staff members examining the site of the shattered glass. Tuliainen said: "When the glass shattered unexpectedly, one of the crew members working in the restaurant—Nitin Kumar—ran down to move people away from under the floor-to-ceiling window. Thanks to his quick response, no one was hurt." The cruise website Cruise Fever said Kumar responded to the incident in a Facebook group created for the cruise trip, saying: "Thank you so much everyone for appreciation, you all are my family, what I did I did for family … what I did I learn from this company how to take care of my guests like family, so thank you so much. Enjoy your vacation." Staff members reportedly responded immediately and passengers reported that "the window is already replaced," with repairs done swiftly, according to Cruise Fever. Tuliainen said: "No one knows why the window broke. Only the outside panel shattered, and there was no impact that anyone saw." The cruise was said to have resumed normal operations, going onto the Bahamas with its return to New Jersey scheduled for June 13. Stock image: A Royal Caribbean cruise ship sails at sea. Stock image: A Royal Caribbean cruise ship sails at sea. Getty Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@ and your story could be featured on Newsweek.

H&M HOME REVEALS CAPTIVATING COLLABORATION WITH PALM HEIGHTS AND GABRIELLA KHALIL
H&M HOME REVEALS CAPTIVATING COLLABORATION WITH PALM HEIGHTS AND GABRIELLA KHALIL

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

H&M HOME REVEALS CAPTIVATING COLLABORATION WITH PALM HEIGHTS AND GABRIELLA KHALIL

H&M HOME is delighted to announce a collaboration with Palm Heights, beachfront Caribbean boutique hotel on Grand Cayman Island, founded and designed by the visionary New York-based Creative Director, Gabriella Khalil. The stylish 23-piece collection evokes the signature design and glamorous spirit of the hotel, with an array of pieces that bring the summer holiday feeling into your home. The Palm Heights x H&M HOME collection will launch on June 12th 2025 in select stores and online at NEW YORK, June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- H&M HOME invites customers to take home a piece of Palm Heights, the luxury design hotelfronting Grand Cayman's pristine Seven Mile Beach. The hotel is celebrated for its visually compelling and rich designs inspired by the 1970s — a glamorous halcyon period of the Caribbean — which had a personable, at-home feel and deep connection with the community. "There is something magical about the lifestyle of personal design hotels and the creative personalities behind these projects. Gabriella's vision for Palm Heights is captivating, blending bold aesthetics with a vibrant, retro charm that feels fresh and contemporary. This partnership and the collection, marries the hotel's energy, style, and a sense of escapism with our approach to creating affordable, modern design — inspiring interior enthusiasts all over the world to create personal and stylish spaces," says Evelina Kravaev-Söderberg, Head of Design & Creative at H&M HOME. "This collection is about capturing that magical feeling of being on holiday in your home: That could be a relaxing, beautiful moment in your bathroom feeling fantastic in your robe, or having guests come over and creating memories around a table with special glassware. Also, while Palm Heights is a highly visual and chic space, there is also a real playfulness about it at the same time and the mix of both of these worlds would be my ideal for people to take away from the collection," says Gabriella Khalil, Creative Director Palm Heights. The collection features cotton beach towels and robes in graphic yellow, white and earthy-brown with white stripes and checkered trims, inspired by the beachside resort's emblematic design and color palette. The eye-catching patterns and bright yellow are a calling card of Palm Heights, as seen on the umbrellas that line the beachfront property. Other hallmark pieces show off Gabriella Khalil's keen eye for eclectic design objects. These include an array of teak sandstone ceramics such assculptural vases, bowls and candle holders with attention to authentic materials. This extends to handwoven objects including a chic, decorative basket for storing small objects and an elegant handheld fan. Fitting for the summer holiday and the friendly, fun atmosphere of the hotel,the collection features a beach tennis kit and a wooden backgammon set. Both items areplayful additions to the home or to pack on the next trip. That notion of coming together for summer entertaining inspired the elegant, colored glass pitcher and tumblers. The same colored glass adorns the scented candle and diffuser, with a scent composed of warm and woody cedar oil and sweet and spicy notes of tonka bean and cardamom, that will linger like post-holiday contentment. "Palm Heights is very special. There's a deep connection with the community there. It's about collaboration, and while it's luxurious, there's a feeling of warmth and casual playfulness that resonates with many guests. It's a place where people can relax and be themselves. With this H&M HOME collection, I hope people feel the beginning of summer; there's joyfulness, sunshine, and elegant simplicity," says Gabriella Khalil. The Palm Heights x H&M HOME collection will be available on June 12th, 2025 in select stores and online at Images: hereCampaign page: here For more information, please contact: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE HM

Fresh flights send New Yorkers running for Italy's high heel
Fresh flights send New Yorkers running for Italy's high heel

New York Post

timean hour ago

  • New York Post

Fresh flights send New Yorkers running for Italy's high heel

This month, Italian startup carrier Neos launched the first ever nonstop direct flights from America to the country's buzziest region, Puglia. The JFK to Bari route will operate once weekly through Oct. 15, with prices starting from $1,000 for standard economy seating and an upgraded Premium Relax cabin for around $400 more. The outbound flight is on Tuesday, with the return from Bari every Wednesday over that window. 5 Fly direct from JFK with Neos. Michela Celi Even better, there's a stylish and roomy new lounge at Bari airport so you can wait for that return in style. The region's been on the rise for a decade or more, but local experts say the Dolce & Gabbana show, which took place on a makeshift runway winding through the fairytale-like cottages, known as trulli, in Alberobello two years ago turbocharged curiosity. 'We saw a 120% increase in booking from US clients from the region for 2024, after that,' said Ben Julius, who runs Tourist Italy. 'And we already see a 50% increase on that for 2025.' Still, you won't have to worry about over-tourism issues as you might in Venice peak season or, certainly, in Rome during this Jubilee Year. Puglia's at its Goldilocks stage, right now, per Stellavision Travel's Zoe Shapiro, it's just right. 'The region is definitely in that incredible moment where there are wonderful hospitality options to be had but it's not over-explored yet.' 5 Puglia's OG boutique retreat, Masseria Trapana, is newly refreshed. Handout Thankfully, there's already a raft of superb hotels on tap. Pick of them is the chic makeover of the nine-room Masseria Trapana, run by expat Aussie Rob Potter-Saunders, who was a visionary when he opened a decade ago. La Fiermontina in central Lecce is a cluster of three properties, owned by a pair of wealthy Moroccan-Italian siblings. Book one of the four rooms they've installed in the museum they operate in tribute to their grandmother, a famous artists' muse born nearby. 5 Park at palace perches like La Fiermontina Palazzo Bozzi Corso in Lecce. La Fiermontina New this year: the buyout-only 10-bedroom mansion house Casina Cinquepozzi, in the tiny village of Putignano, best known in Italy for its carnival celebrations. Nigerian jewelry designer Thelma West and her Neopolitan husband, Stefano Liotta, bought it to turn it into a stylish retreat for creatives. Otherwise, check out Trulli e Puglia, said Embark Beyond's Jack Ezon. 'Mimmo Patrizio Palmisano is the mayor of Alberobello, and a great guy who will invite you to his home,' he raved. 5 Enjoy a swish stay at Casina Cinquepozzi, Handout Don't miss the chance for a candelit meal in Grotta Palazzese on the waterfront in Polignano a Mare — not for the food, but for the setting, in dramatic grottos carved out from the cliffs there. The menu's more impressive at the Michelin-nodded Meraviglioso nearby — try some of the assorted pesce crudo. Wine lovers should make sure not to miss the 20-seater My Wine in Monopoli, where host-owner Gianni de Bellis offers advice and an encyclopedic selection. Olive groves abound here, too, of course and to see a farm dating back to the Roman era, complete with forests of hundred-plus-year old trees at Antica Masseria Brancati. Most of the action in Puglia, especially noteworthy hotels, is centered on the Adriatic stretch between the cities of Brindisi and Bari, but if you want to lounge on a top tier beach, you'll need to head over to the other, Ionian Coast, where the sandy spits are far more appealing. Campomarino is a standout, or head over to Tarento for boat trips to spot the Ionian dolphin in the northern reaches of the namesake sea, year-round. 5 The coveted Mathraki Beach on the Ionian coast. Dionisio Iemma – Several companies offer a quirky way to roam the back roads: classic cars. Puglia Auto Classica will rent you the likes of a Lancia Flaminia complete with the original red seats, while the aptly named 500 Journeys just launched a fleet of meticulously restored Fiat 500s. Antonello Losito, who runs Puglia-based Southern Visions has two must-see spots he suggests on any country adventure. Go to the Giardini Pistoia, a country estate that only recently opened to the public — there are concerts there during summertime, and a superb organic shop which sells the manse's own wines. Likewise, he recommends a detour to the Le Constantine Foundation which preserves and champions the skills — long synonymous with Puglia. 'The art of weaving is kept alive here,' he said, noting that the artisans' onsite shop sells everything from handwovens tablecloths or towels to wall hangings, scarves and shawls. Ezon adds another insider spot for handcrafted souvenirs: Barbara Sperti, a custom shirtmaker based in Putignano: 'It's worth a half-day detour with dinner in one of the great restaurants there,' he said. 'And her shirts are a bargain — totally made to measure at [approximately] $170.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store