Tragic Tour Bus Accident in New York
Update:
This is a developing story.
Introduction to the Accident
PEMBROKE, N.Y. — A tour bus returning to New York City from Niagara Falls with 52 people crashed and rolled Friday on an interstate highway, killing and injuring multiple passengers, police said.
The bus apparently lost control on Interstate 90 near Pembroke, about 25 miles east of Buffalo. People inside were ejected as the windows shattered.
Details of the Crash
“At this time we have multiple fatalities, multiple entrapments and multiple injuries,” said Trooper James O’Callaghan, a spokesperson for the New York State Police, adding that children were on board.
The bus was traveling eastbound when it went into the median and ended up in a ditch on the right side of the road, O’Callaghan said. Most passengers were of Indian, Chinese and Filipino ethnicity, he said.
Response to the Accident
Breaking News
“The driver is alive and well. We’re working with him. We believe we have a good idea of what happened, why the bus lost control,” O’Callaghan said without elaborating.
The Mercy Flight medical transport service said its three helicopters and three more from other services transported people from the crash site. Hospitals in the region said they evaluated or treated more than 40 people. Injuries ranged from head trauma to broken arms and legs.
Medical Response and Injuries
Two people who needed surgery at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo were expected to recover, said Dr. Jeffrey Brewer, chief of surgery.
“It’s a full-size tour bus. Heavy amount of damage,” O’Callaghan said. “Most people, I’m assuming, on the bus did not have a seat belt on; that is the reason why we have so many ejected people on this bus.”
Seat Belt Laws and Road Closures
In response to a bus crash in New York in 2023, a state law requires seat belt use on charter buses built on or after Nov. 28, 2016. The age of the bus in Friday’s crash wasn’t immediately known.
The New York State Thruway Authority said a lengthy stretch of the roadway had been shut down in both directions and drivers were being urged to avoid the area.
“There was glass all over the road and people’s stuff all over the road,” Powell Stephens of Medina told The Buffalo News after he drove by the crash. “Windows were all shattered.”
Government Response
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said on the social platform X that she was briefed on the “tragic tour bus accident” and that her office was working with police and local officials.
Conclusion
The tragic tour bus accident in New York has resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, with many people still recovering from their injuries. The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but it is clear that the lack of seat belt use on the bus contributed to the severity of the injuries. The government has responded quickly to the accident, with the governor being briefed on the situation and working with police and local officials to respond to the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the tour bus accident in New York:
Q: How many people were on the bus when it crashed?
A: There were 52 people on the bus when it crashed.
Q: How many people were killed in the accident?
A: The exact number of fatalities has not been released, but it is known that there were multiple fatalities.
Q: How many people were injured in the accident?
A: More than 40 people were injured in the accident, with injuries ranging from head trauma to broken arms and legs.
Q: What was the cause of the accident?
A: The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but it is believed that the bus lost control on the highway and crashed into a ditch.
Q: Were the passengers on the bus wearing seat belts?
A: It is believed that most of the passengers on the bus were not wearing seat belts, which contributed to the severity of the injuries.
