Five individuals lost their lives following a catastrophic tour bus accident on the New York State Thruway in western New York, as confirmed by state police. The bus was transporting a group of international tourists back to New York City from the iconic Niagara Falls when it reportedly lost control and overturned. Preliminary reports indicate that most of the deceased were tourists from India, China, and the Philippines. Governor Kathy Hochul announced that local authorities are actively working to provide assistance to all affected parties.
Emergency responders, including ambulances and medical helicopters, rushed to the scene near Pembroke, situated approximately 30 miles east of Buffalo. Initial statements suggested that a child was among the deceased; however, this has since been corrected. The bus was carrying 52 passengers, ranging in age from one to 74 years old, and authorities noted that many aboard were not wearing seatbelts during the crash, which resulted in several individuals being ejected from the vehicle.
The New York State Police are currently investigating the cause of the incident. Major Andre Ray stated that while the investigation is ongoing, mechanical failure and operator impairment have been ruled out as causes. The bus operator has cooperated with authorities, and no charges have been filed as of yet.
Eyewitness accounts describe a horrifying scene of a bus lying on its side with personal belongings scattered across the road. A witness, Powell Stephens, shared his observations of shattered glass and chaos at the crash site, where many victims appeared conscious but in a state of distress.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, ConnectLife, a regional blood donation organization, has issued an urgent call for blood donations to aid hospitals overwhelmed by patients from the crash. Additionally, the Red Cross has set up a family reunion center to help reunite children with their parents, who were taken to different medical facilities. Authorities are appealing to drivers with dashcam footage of the incident to assist in the investigation.
