Tourist visiting Grand Teton National Park from Australia dies in crash, rangers say

A tourist visiting Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming died in a crash on a highway in the park, according to park officials.

At about 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, the Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received reports of a car crash on U.S. Highway 89 in Grand Teton National Park, according to a news release by the National Park Service.

A semi-truck and SUV collided near Teton Point Turnout, a popular destination for park visitors to stop and see the mountains, park officials said.

There were two people in the SUV who were taken to a local hospital with injuries, according to the release.

One of the occupants, Pamela Paltridge, died from her injuries, according to the release. She was visiting the park from Australia, park officials said.

The second person in the SUV was treated and released from the hospital. Officials did not say who was driving the SUV at the time of the crash.

The driver of the semi-truck was treated at the scene, according to the release.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol is investigating the accident. Officials did not say what may have led to the crash.

Highway 89 is located between Moran Junction and Moose Junction in Grand Teton National Park, according to the Enjoy Your Parks website.

The park stretches 45 miles long and 26 miles wide, according to the National Park Service website. It encompasses 310,000 acres and 485 square miles.

In 2021, nearly 3.9 million people visited Grand Teton National Park, according to the National Park Service.

Grand Teton National Park is in northwest Wyoming, south of Yellowstone.

This story was originally published November 10, 2022 at 10:55 AM with the headline "Tourist visiting Grand Teton National Park from Australia dies in crash, rangers say."