Police say fatal East Iceland crash is becoming clearer

The sequence of events in a fatal crash on Jökuldalsheiði, a heath in eastern Iceland, is now “reasonably clear,” an East Iceland police superintendent told mbl.is, although the investigation is still under way.

Kristján Ólafur Guðnason said investigators are checking that the evidence gathered presents a consistent account of what happened. A formal conclusion is not expected soon. Police are interviewing witnesses and collecting other evidence in cooperation with the Transport Accident Investigation Board.

Two foreign tourists in their sixties died in the crash, which involved four cars and eight people. Two others were taken to Reykjavík; police said they did not know their current condition. The injuries of the remaining four were considered minor. They were examined at the East Iceland Health Service in Egilsstaðir and discharged.

All eight people were foreign nationals, some of whom live in Iceland. The families of those who died have been notified. Guðnason said police made sure the appropriate people had been informed before releasing details of the fatal crash.

Many emergency responders took part in the response. The Red Cross provided trauma support and pastoral care to people directly or indirectly affected by the crash, as well as to responders. Múlaþing social services also assisted, and follow-up support may be offered as needed.