Loaded van rolls west of Lakeside

A passenger van carrying 14 people rolled on Blacktail Road Wednesday afternoon, resulting in hospital visits for many of them.

Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Andrew Horton said that the van lost control on a 90-degree turn.

“It was obvious from the evidence and tire marks and skids on the road that the vehicle was just driving too fast,” he said.

Horton said that the driver hit the brakes and the van skidded sideways on the gravel road. Tires on one side popped off of their rims and dug into the ground, causing the van to roll once.

Alcohol was not determined to be a factor in the crash, Horton said.

Somers-Lakeside and Bigfork Fire Departments assisted on the scene. The ALERT medical helicopter was also dispatched to the crash.

Horton said that “the majority” of the occupants were taken to the Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Some had already left in ambulances by the time he arrived.

“There were several that maybe had more significant injuries,” he said.

All of the occupants were adults, he said. One person was flown via helicopter to the hospital with “severe,” but not life-threatening injuries.

The investigation is ongoing. No additional information was released by authorities about the van or its occupants.

Daily Inter Lake reporter Hilary Matheson contributed to this story.

Reach reporter Matt Hudson at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.