On Friday, August 22nd, a tourist bus carrying 54 people flipped over on its way back from Niagara Falls to New York City, resulting in at least 5 deaths and dozens of injuries. Among the injured were 6 Chinese citizens, one of whom was seriously hurt.
According to authorities, the 54 people on board included the driver and an employee of a travel company. The passengers ranged in age from 1 to 74 years old. At the time of the accident, many people were thrown out of the bus. Police confirmed that the 5 deceased were all adults, correcting their earlier statement which included a child among the victims.
James O’Callaghan, a spokesman for the New York State Police, explained that most of the passengers on the bus were Indians, Chinese, and Filipinos.
Authorities dispatched translators to assist with the emergency response.
State media Xinhua News Agency quoted the Chinese Consulate General in New York as saying that among the passengers were 6 Chinese citizens, with 5 sustaining minor injuries in the accident and already discharged after receiving basic medical treatment, while 1 person was seriously injured and undergoing surgery.
The Philippine Consulate General in New York issued a statement on Friday, stating that they are “closely monitoring the situation” and will provide assistance to affected Filipino citizens.
Spokesman O’Callaghan mentioned that nearly everyone except the deceased suffered injuries, including cuts and bruises.
The accident occurred on eastbound Interstate 90 near the town of Pembroke, about 25 miles east of Buffalo, New York.
New York State Police Commander Andre Ray stated later on Friday that the cause of the accident is still under investigation but mechanical failure and the driver experiencing physical impairments or intoxication have been ruled out.
Ray indicated that the driver seemed distracted at the time, causing the bus to lose control, overcorrect, and eventually overturn into a roadside ditch. However, he did not disclose what led to the driver’s distraction.
Authorities mentioned that the driver survived the accident and is cooperating with the investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board stated in a Friday evening release that they are dispatching a “go-team” to investigate this fatal accident.
The tour bus was owned by M&Y Tour Inc. based on Staten Island. According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the company had no accidents or fatalities in the past two years and held a “satisfactory” safety rating. The agency noted that the company’s buses and drivers underwent 60 inspections in the past two years.