Wyoming’s Green River Tunnel on Interstate 80 was the site of a horrific vehicle crash last Friday, February 14. The stack-up involved 26 vehicles, and resulted in an inferno that will have a major impact on freeway traffic. The freeway at Green River is presently closed, for an unknown time. Also unknown at this point—were there any RVs involved in the Green River tunnel fire tragedy?
Green River tunnel fire burned from morning until evening
The Green River Tunnel is 1,138 feet long and carries Interstate 80 (Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway) through a rock ridge in Green River, Wyoming. Things appeared normal until reports poured in shortly after 11:30 in the morning. The Wyoming Highway Patrol outlined the initial response, which began at 11:38 a.m. and on the westbound side of I-80 at about milepost 90 in the tunnel.
The huge, smokey inferno “prevented some of the life saving measures there that we could do at that time until fire conditions could improve,” Major James Thomas of the Highway Patrol reported in a press conference. While the blaze started in the morning, firefighters worked it from both ends of the tunnel “well into the evening,” starting with the west end “as far as they could” before moving to the east end, according to the patrol spokesman. After the fire was out, “conditions were still not safe for investigators and responders to go inside,” Major Thomas related, due to “structural concerns and air quality.”
Long-haul driver barely escapes
For those caught up in the fiery crash, the scene was beyond a nightmare. A long-haul trucker caught in the tunnel uploaded videos of his narrow escape. The driver, who goes by the TikTok handle tophauler0, recorded his escape from his rig by kicking out the windshield. Blurry images of flames can be seen, and the audio track records the screams and calls of fright of others, who say they are burning up. A news item includes tophauler0’s posts. Caution: Know that the clips contain strong language.
Any RVs involved in the fire? Don’t ask AI
Were there any RVers caught up in the Wyoming tunnel fire? It wasn’t until Sunday that crews were able to begin clearing the remains of vehicles either wrecked or abandoned there. The official tally is that of the 26 vehicles, of which 16 were commercial vehicles, and 10 were “passenger vehicles.” Of the ten, still no word on just what sort of rigs they were.
We queried artificial intelligence (AI) internet search provider ChatGPT as to whether RVs were involved. The response we got was this: “The recent fiery crash in the Green River Tunnel on Interstate 80 in Wyoming involved 26 vehicles, including 10 passenger vehicles and 16 commercial vehicles. While the exact number of RVs involved hasn’t been specified, it’s likely that some of the passenger vehicles were RVs.”
It’s likely some were RVs? We pressed the service as to how it arrived at such a statement. “You’re right to question that assumption. I should have been more careful with my phrasing. While it’s common for some passenger vehicles in large pileups to include RVs, there’s no direct evidence or report in the sources I found that confirms RVs were involved in the recent Wyoming highway tunnel fire.
AI continued: “Unless stated explicitly in reports or accident details, I shouldn’t have speculated on the presence of RVs in this incident.” It seems AI can not only help you find answers, it can also be a starting point for rumors.
Trucker’s reflections a good reminder for all of us
We’re hopeful that no RVers were caught in the Wyoming tunnel fire. Our hearts reach out to the families of the three confirmed victims in this incident. As long-haul driver tophauler0 reflected in a video posted after he escaped with his life, “Tell your people you love them, because it can all change in an instant,” he says. “Life’s pretty fragile.”
More articles you might like
- Alternative to Quartzsite: Low-cost AZ desert boondocking at Imperial Dam
- A new take on the offensive neighbor in the RV park
- How to protect your RV’s decals from fading and sun damage
- RV Tire Types 101: Selecting the correct tire for your RV or other vehicle
- Be careful how you wash your rubber RV roof
- A step-by-step guide to applying self-leveling sealant on your RV’s roof
##RVT1197b
Driving too fast for conditions…number 1 especially in Wyoming on I-80.
How long is this tunnel? Are Rv’s with propane allowed entry?
It’s winter here and there as well, perhaps no Rv’s were on the road at that time and place. Terrible accident. Will be interesting to find out the exact cause – cell fone, texting, distracted driver…… Please followup with WY HP or NTSB.
Around a quarter mile long at most. No restrictions I know of. It’s straight as an arrow…you can see through it end to end. JB is right…excessive speed and not enough distance between vehicles.
Have been through it many times.
Thank you Mikal. Helps to understand the site a little more. Pics looked like a mile or more in length.
That’s an interesting question DW. LPG has been forbidden in many tunnels which begs the question of how regulation might be coming for the EV lithium flamethrowers. Not bashing lithium or EV (I’m a steadfast promoter of LifePo4 in RV’s), just curious.
That is a really good question Vince! The horrific fire pics/vids I’ve seen of electric vehicles is really frightening. Imagine being in an enclosed space like a tunnel. While this Wyoming tunnel is relatively short it is still a devastating site! I am not sold on the safety or longevity of electric vehicles yet. Imagine the underwater tunnels in NY etc.. where Rv’s with propane are banned. Electric vehicles? Wow!
Gee, I wonder if there were any motorcycles? I wonder if there were bicycles? I wonder if there were any… ?
Do not wonder… ask AI!!
In the video it sure looks like the trucker was going way too fast when seeing other vehicles ahead. Didn’t look like the truck even slowed down, but changed lanes at the last second or two.
So it’s more important to FILM your escape instead of escaping? Social media has created an entire generation of Narcissists.
I don’t know if Narcissist is exactly the correct description, but I hear what you are saying. 👍
Saw the same thing with the passengers escaping the Delta airplane crash in Toronto yesterday. Some were playing with their darned phones filming during the evacuation…from inside the plane! I could see the hesitation as they got to the door as they wanted to film vs keep the line moving. In a life and death crisis, every second counts. Forget the phone and your ten seconds of glory on Tik Tok and think about all those that need to get out as quickly as possible. It may even mean your own life!
Thank you for sharing the news of this tragic disaster, Russ and Tina! Very sad for the families who lost loved ones. I cannot imagine the terror those who escaped experienced until they knew they were safe. I echo the truck driver’s closing sentiment that one can never say, “I love you!” too much. Safe travels!