Five people have died following a tour bus crash on the New York State Thruway in western New York, state police confirmed.
The passengers, believed to be tourists from India, China, and the Philippines, were en route to New York City after visiting Niagara Falls when the vehicle overturned. Witnesses reported the bus losing control before it rolled over.
Governor Kathy Hochul stated that emergency personnel are actively assisting the victims. Ambulances and medical helicopters were deployed to the site near Pembroke, approximately 30 miles (48 km) east of Buffalo.
Initial police reports had included a child among the fatalities, but that was later corrected. Authorities said the 52 passengers on board ranged in age from one to 74.
Many occupants were thrown from the vehicle during the crash, likely due to not wearing seatbelts. Several remained trapped in the wreckage for hours before being rescued. Translators and electronic translation aids were brought to the scene and nearby hospitals to support communication with victims and aid the ongoing investigation.
New York State Police Troop Commander Andre Ray Major said during a news conference that the crash's cause remains under investigation, though both mechanical failure and driver impairment have been ruled out. “The operator has been cooperative, and no charges have been filed at this stage,” he added.
The crash occurred roughly 40 miles from Niagara Falls, a popular tourist destination on the US-Canada border. According to police, the bus was traveling eastbound when it veered into the median and then into a ditch.
Authorities confirmed that several children were on board at the time. One area hospital admitted 24 adults, all expected to recover. Other local hospitals also received patients, while those under 16 were transferred to a children's hospital.
Eyewitness Powell Stephens told The Buffalo News he passed the crash site and saw the bus on its side with debris scattered across the roadway. “There was glass all over the road and people’s stuff everywhere,” he said. “Windows were all shattered. Everyone seemed conscious and OK, but I only saw the scene for about 15 seconds.”
ConnectLife, a regional blood provider, issued an urgent appeal for donations. “Our community is facing a crisis,” said spokesperson Sarah Diina. “This is one of those moments when your action can directly save lives.”
The American Red Cross has opened a family reunification centre to help connect children and parents who were taken to different hospitals.
Authorities are appealing for any dashcam footage from drivers in the area to support their investigation.
Source: BBC
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