PEMBROKE, N.Y. — Authorities have confirmed that five people were pronounced dead at the scene of the devastating tour bus crash that occurred earlier today on I-90 near Pembroke. The bus, which was traveling from Niagara Falls to New York City, was carrying 54 passengers ranging in age from 1 to 74 years old.
According to officials, despite the severity of the crash, no children were among those killed, as confirmed during a recent press conference. However, many passengers sustained injuries, some serious, and multiple individuals were trapped in and around the overturned bus when first responders arrived.
Emergency crews, including New York State Police, fire departments, and EMS personnel, responded immediately to the scene. Due to the scale of the incident, several Mercy Flights helicopters were dispatched, along with ambulances from local hospitals, to transport injured passengers to medical facilities. Victims were taken to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, ECMC, and other regional hospitals. Translators were also brought in to assist passengers of various nationalities, including Indian, Chinese, and Filipino, due to language barriers.
Investigators say preliminary reports indicate that most passengers were not wearing seatbelts, which contributed to the number of ejections and severity of injuries. The bus reportedly lost control, veered into the median, and overturned into a ditch along the highway. Officials clarified that no other vehicles were involved in the crash, and the bus driver survived.
The New York State Thruway Authority has temporarily closed I-90 east and west between Exit 48A and Exit 49, urging drivers to use alternate routes while authorities continue recovery and investigation efforts. Authorities are using cranes and heavy equipment to remove the bus and clear debris, ensuring safety for other motorists.
Community members and family members of passengers have begun to gather near the area, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. ConnectLife has issued a call for blood donations to help victims, and local resources have been activated to provide medical, mental health, and translation support.
This tragic accident is one of the deadliest bus crashes in the area in recent years, and investigators are continuing to determine the exact cause of the incident. State police emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, and additional details will be released as they become available.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the crash to contact the appropriate law enforcement agencies and request that the public respect the privacy of the victims and their families during this difficult time.
Leave a Reply