Five individuals are dead following a devastating rollover accident involving an M&Y Tour Inc. bus returning to New York City from Niagara Falls. The crash, which occurred yesterday, transpired on the New York State Thruway near Pembroke, as reported by CBS News. State police indicated that, for reasons not yet known, the vehicle lost control and veered into a ditch after crossing the median and over-correcting. The incident led to the tragic loss of life and multiple injuries.
Authorities revealed that the bus was carrying 54 individuals, including two bus company employees. Sen. Chuck Schumer confirmed via social media that the National Transportation Safety Board would be investigating. On-site, many of the passengers were found without seatbelts, and New York State Trooper James O'Callaghan, in an interview obtained by Gothamist, described the scene shortly after the crash as having "multiple fatalities, multiple entrapments and multiple injuries."
While a mechanical failure and operator impairment have been ruled out as causes of the crash, the bus driver, who has cooperated fully with officials, has not been charged. Following the incident, the Erie County Medical Center, a level 1 adult trauma center, received 24 patients: with two undergoing surgery and another two in intensive care. Three of these severely injured individuals were later listed as stable, but one remains in critical condition, according to updates from the hospital.
Given the diverse nationalities of the passengers, with many being of Indian, Chinese, and Filipino descent, translators were brought in to assist with the emergency response, Trooper James O'Callaghan informed reporters at the scene. O'Callaghan further detailed the tragic unfolding of events, referring to the bus traveling at "full speed" at the time of the crash, as detailed by CBS News. The thoroughfare was shut down in both directions, impacting traffic and causing major delays, as emergency crews responded.
Governor Kathy Hochul took to social media, voicing her sorrow for those lost and extending assurances of close coordination with state police and local officials to provide necessary aid.
