A tour bus accident on the New York State Thruway in western New York has resulted in the deaths of five individuals, as reported by the New York State Police. The bus was returning from Niagara Falls to New York City when it lost control and overturned. Most of the deceased were identified as tourists from India, China, and the Philippines.
Local officials are currently working to provide assistance to those affected by the crash, according to New York Governor Kathy Hochul. Ambulances and medical helicopters were dispatched to the scene, located near Pembroke, approximately 30 miles east of Buffalo.
Initially, police stated that a child was among the fatalities; however, this has since been clarified as inaccurate. The bus had 52 occupants, ranging in age from one to 74 years. Some victims were ejected from the bus during the crash, and reports suggest that many were not wearing seatbelts. Additionally, some individuals were trapped in the wreckage for several hours.
Translators and translation devices were brought to assist in communicating with victims and aiding in the ongoing investigation. New York State Police troop commander Andre Ray Major noted that while the cause of the accident is under investigation, mechanical failure and operator impairment have been ruled out at this time. The bus driver has been cooperative with authorities, and no charges have been filed.
Witnesses reported seeing the bus on its side and personal items scattered across the roadway. In the aftermath, 24 adults were admitted to a local hospital, with expectations for full recovery. Children who were injured were taken to a specialized children’s hospital.
The Red Cross has established a family reunification center for those separated during the event, and authorities are urging drivers with dashcam footage of the incident to come forward to aid the investigation. As of now, ConnectLife, a regional blood provider, has issued an emergency appeal for blood donations, highlighting a community crisis.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2kp312ryxo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss