Four hours ago, five fatalities were reported following a catastrophic bus crash on the New York State Thruway in western New York. According to New York State Police, the victims were part of a group returning to New York City from a visit to Niagara Falls, a popular attraction along the US-Canada border. Eyewitness accounts describe the bus losing control and rolling over, resulting in the tragic deaths of the passengers, who included tourists from India, China, and the Philippines.
Local authorities, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul, are coordinating rescue efforts and providing assistance to those affected by the incident. Medical helicopters and multiple ambulances were dispatched to the accident scene located near Pembroke, approximately 30 miles east of Buffalo. While initial reports indicated the presence of a child among the deceased, authorities have since clarified that this was incorrect.
The tour bus was carrying 52 passengers aged between one to 74 years, and disturbing details emerged regarding safety, as many victims were reportedly not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. Some passengers were tragically ejected from the vehicle due to the impact, while others were trapped inside the wreckage for hours awaiting rescue.
Translators have been made available to assist with communication both at the crash site and in hospitals treated injured passengers. New York State Police Troop Commander Andre Ray Major stated in a press conference that although the cause of the crash is still under investigation, both mechanical failure and operator impairment have been ruled out for now. The driver remains cooperative with ongoing investigations, and no charges have been levied thus far.
The accident, which occurred roughly 40 miles from the Niagara Falls destination, saw the bus veering off course and landing in a ditch. Numerous children were on board at the time of the fatal event. In total, 24 adult patients were taken to a local hospital, and their condition has reportedly stabilized with expectations for full recovery. Furthermore, minors who survived were transferred to a specialized children's hospital.
Eyewitness Powell Stephens shared a heart-wrenching account, noting the chaos following the crash, with shattered glass and personal belongings scattered across the roadway.
In the wake of this tragedy, ConnectLife, an organization supplying blood to hospitals in the vicinity, has urgently called for blood donations, identifying the crisis as an opportunity for the community to come together and directly save lives. Additionally, the Red Cross has established a family reunification center to help connect children with their parents after they were transported to different medical facilities. Authorities are urging drivers with dashcam footage from the time of the incident to step forward as they continue their investigation.
Local authorities, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul, are coordinating rescue efforts and providing assistance to those affected by the incident. Medical helicopters and multiple ambulances were dispatched to the accident scene located near Pembroke, approximately 30 miles east of Buffalo. While initial reports indicated the presence of a child among the deceased, authorities have since clarified that this was incorrect.
The tour bus was carrying 52 passengers aged between one to 74 years, and disturbing details emerged regarding safety, as many victims were reportedly not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. Some passengers were tragically ejected from the vehicle due to the impact, while others were trapped inside the wreckage for hours awaiting rescue.
Translators have been made available to assist with communication both at the crash site and in hospitals treated injured passengers. New York State Police Troop Commander Andre Ray Major stated in a press conference that although the cause of the crash is still under investigation, both mechanical failure and operator impairment have been ruled out for now. The driver remains cooperative with ongoing investigations, and no charges have been levied thus far.
The accident, which occurred roughly 40 miles from the Niagara Falls destination, saw the bus veering off course and landing in a ditch. Numerous children were on board at the time of the fatal event. In total, 24 adult patients were taken to a local hospital, and their condition has reportedly stabilized with expectations for full recovery. Furthermore, minors who survived were transferred to a specialized children's hospital.
Eyewitness Powell Stephens shared a heart-wrenching account, noting the chaos following the crash, with shattered glass and personal belongings scattered across the roadway.
In the wake of this tragedy, ConnectLife, an organization supplying blood to hospitals in the vicinity, has urgently called for blood donations, identifying the crisis as an opportunity for the community to come together and directly save lives. Additionally, the Red Cross has established a family reunification center to help connect children with their parents after they were transported to different medical facilities. Authorities are urging drivers with dashcam footage from the time of the incident to step forward as they continue their investigation.
