Pembroke, N.Y. — A tragic tour bus accident on the New York State Thruway claimed the lives of at least five individuals and left many others injured Friday afternoon. The incident occurred around 12:40 p.m. as the bus was returning to New York City from Niagara Falls, roughly 25 miles east of Buffalo.
According to New York State Police, the bus carried 54 passengers of diverse ages and backgrounds, including people aged from 1 to 74. Preliminary reports indicate that the vehicle rolled over after colliding with a median before ending up in a ditch. Initial concerns suggested that at least one child may have been among the deceased, but later updates clarified that all confirmed fatalities were adults.
Authorities reported that every passenger experienced injuries, with many being thrown from the bus when it overturned, largely due to the absence of seatbelt use. Rescue teams faced a challenging scene, as several individuals remained trapped inside the bus hours after the accident.
The Erie County Medical Center received 24 patients, marking one of the largest single-incident trauma cases for the facility in 25 years. Medical staff reported treating serious injuries, including head trauma and broken bones. An additional 20 individuals were transported to various hospitals across the region, with several patients airlifted by medical helicopters.
In response to the incident, Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her condolences and emphasized her coordination with state police and local officials to assist those affected. Senator Chuck Schumer also shared his heartbreak over the tragedy, commending the swift actions of first responders.
As of Friday evening, the cause of the bus’s overturning remains under investigation. Preliminary assessments by state troopers suggest that mechanical failure or driver intoxication were not contributing factors. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the driver may have “overcorrected” the vehicle after it deviated into the median for reasons that are still unclear.
The bus, operated by Staten Island-based M & Y Tour Inc., was traveling at high speed but did not collide with any other vehicles during the incident. The company is currently cooperating with authorities as the investigation unfolds, and the driver has been confirmed to be unharmed.
No formal charges had been filed as of Friday night, and the situation continues to develop as investigators seek to determine the precise circumstances that led to this devastating crash.