A major traffic accident occurred on Friday in New York State, with a tour bus carrying 54 passengers overturning on Interstate 90 while returning to New York City after a trip to Niagara Falls. The tragic incident resulted in at least 5 deaths and 47 injuries.
The New York State Police released the identities of the 5 deceased victims on Saturday, clarifying that there were no infant fatalities. The youngest victim was 22-year-old Columbia University student Xie Hongzhuo from Beijing, China.
Other victims include 55-year-old Zhang Xiaolan from Jersey City, 56-year-old Jian Mingli, 60-year-old Pinki Changrani from East Brunswick, New Jersey, and 65-year-old Indian tourist Shankar Kumar Jha.
Family members of all the deceased and injured passengers have been in contact with the local Red Cross Family Assistance Center.
The driver of the bus, Bin Shao, a 55-year-old Chinese man from Flushing, was unharmed in the accident and no mechanical failures were found with the bus. Preliminary investigations by the state police have ruled out drunk driving and vehicle malfunctions as possible causes, suggesting that driver distraction may have played a role in the accident. The investigation is ongoing, and no other vehicles were involved in the accident.
The bus flipped on Interstate 90 eastbound between exits 48A and 49 in Pembroke, Genesee County.
The involved vehicle was a 2005 Van Wool Bus and Coach tour bus owned by “M&Y Tour Inc.” based in Staten Island, New York. The bus was en route from Niagara Falls to New York City when the accident occurred. It first veered off the lane and onto the median before the driver attempted to correct, causing the bus to overturn and fall off the south side embankment of I-90. Multiple passengers were either thrown from the bus or trapped inside, resulting in 5 immediate deaths.
Investigators noted that the bus was equipped with an Engine Control Unit (ECU) with data recording capabilities to show the vehicle’s speed and the driver’s actions leading up to the accident. They are also looking into whether the bus had a dashboard camera or GPS device to record speed and other data.
Experts will assess the impact of “non-seatbelt use on some passengers being thrown from the bus.” Although New York State recently passed a law requiring buses manufactured after 2016 to mandate seatbelt use by passengers, it remains unclear if this law applies to this case involving a bus made in 2005.
According to records from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the bus had a satisfactory safety rating and had not been involved in any accidents or fatalities in the past two years. The company’s buses and drivers underwent 60 inspections within that timeframe.
A team from the National Transportation Safety Board is expected to remain on-site for 4 to 6 days, with an initial report anticipated within 30 days and a final report within 12 to 24 months.
Due to many passengers on the bus being from China and the Philippines among other Asian countries, and having limited English proficiency, translation assistance was provided on-site along with ambulance and towing services to aid the police in clarifying the accident details.
Emergency medical helicopters, multiple emergency medical teams, and paramedics were deployed to transport the injured to Erie County Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, and UMMR Hospital in Batavia.
At least 47 individuals were taken to hospitals with injuries ranging from severe to minor, including head and internal injuries, and fractures. Some of the injured passengers were reported to be in stable condition post-medical assessment.
The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York stated that there were 6 Chinese citizens on the bus. The consulate did not disclose the identities of the victims or where they were taken.
The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York issued a statement saying that they are “closely monitoring the situation” and will provide assistance to affected Filipino nationals, urging families of potential victims to proactively reach out.
The Red Cross stated in a release that they have provided assistance to overturned bus passengers including “accommodation, psychological counseling, emotional support, meals, snacks, and water.”
A spokesperson for Columbia University expressed deep shock and sorrow over the loss of student Xie Hongzhuo in the tragic bus accident near Buffalo City on Friday.
The university spokesperson stated, “This heartbreaking tragedy is deeply felt across our entire community. We have maintained close contact with her family and are offering them our full support.”
The statement also mentioned that the university has provided counseling services for students. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, and all those affected by this tragedy.”
(This article references statements from the New York State Police, along with reports from CNN and NBC)