New York State authorities have announced that a tour bus carrying approximately 52 passengers was involved in an accident on Friday (August 22) while returning from Niagara Falls to New York City. The incident resulted in multiple fatalities, including children, with some individuals still trapped inside the bus.
During a press conference, James O’Callaghan, a spokesperson for the New York State Police, stated that the bus lost control for “unknown reasons,” causing it to overturn and resulting in several injuries.
O’Callaghan mentioned that several individuals were trapped, while others were ejected from the bus. The bus sustained significant damage and rolled over during the accident.
“I believe most people on the bus were not wearing seat belts. That’s why so many were thrown out,” he said. “The bus was traveling at full speed. It didn’t collide with any other vehicles. Basically, it lost control from the median strip.”
Emergency personnel are working diligently to rescue those still trapped underneath the bus. The bus veered into the median strip, then overturned and crashed into a ditch along the interstate highway.
He further added that authorities are actively responding to the scene, with “extensive” rescue efforts still ongoing.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the New York State Police revealed that the accident occurred east of Buffalo in Pembroke town near the eastbound direction of Interstate 90.
Local media outlet Spectrum News 1 reporter Viktoria Hallikäär was present at the crash site and shared on social media, “A tour bus traveling from Niagara Falls to New York City was involved in an accident, with multiple individuals ejected. Some are still trapped. Multiple fatalities, including at least one child. Most families on board are of Indian, Chinese, and Filipino descent. Translation personnel have been brought to the scene.”
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul posted on social media platform X, describing the incident as a “tragedy” and stating that emergency responders are “working on rescuing and assisting all involved parties.”
State authorities have indicated that both lanes of the highway near the accident scene are currently closed.
Live footage from the scene shows the bus overturned, with a crowd gathered around the area.