Five people have sadly died following a tour bus accident on the New York State Thruway in western New York today. According to reports from New York State Police, the bus was transporting a group back to New York City after a visit to Niagara Falls, a popular tourist destination. Eyewitness accounts reveal that the vehicle suddenly lost control and overturned. The victims are predominantly tourists hailing from India, China, and the Philippines.
Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed that local authorities were actively engaged in helping those involved in the incident. Ambulances and helicopters were dispatched to the crash site, located near Pembroke, roughly 30 miles east of Buffalo. Authorities previously reported that a child was among the deceased, but this has since been retracted.
Of the 52 passengers onboard, who ranged in age from one to 74, the condition of many is still uncertain, although reports indicate that several were ejected from the vehicle during the crash. Initial investigations suggest that a lack of seatbelt use may have contributed to the fatalities, with some individuals remaining trapped inside the wreckage for hours.
Translators were set up at the scene and surrounding hospitals to assist with language barriers, indicating the diverse nationality of those involved. Andre Ray Major, a troop commander with New York State Police, stated that while the cause of the accident is still under investigation, both mechanical failure and driver impairment have been excluded as factors. The driver has cooperated with authorities, and no charges have been laid as of yet.
The bus was reportedly heading east and lost control, subsequently veering into the median before plunging into a ditch. Witnesses described a chaotic scene with shattered glass and belongings scattered across the roadway. "Windows were all shattered,” recounted Powell Stephens, a nearby motorist. “Everyone seemed conscious and OK, but I only saw the scene for about 15 seconds."
In the aftermath of the disaster, ConnectLife, a local blood donation organization, made an urgent appeal for blood donations due to the crisis at local hospitals. “Effective action can directly save lives,” stated spokeswoman Sarah Diina. Meanwhile, the Red Cross has created a family reunification center to assist those affected and reconnect parents with children taken to separate hospitals. Authorities are requesting dashcam footage from drivers in the area at the time of the crash to assist with the ongoing investigation.
