5 Dead in Bus Accident in Northern New York State

SadaNews - Authorities reported that a tour bus carrying more than 50 people lost control and overturned on a highway in northern New York State yesterday (Friday), resulting in at least 5 deaths and dozens of injuries.

New York State Police spokesman James O'Callahan confirmed that at least one child was among the deceased. He added to reporters that most of the passengers were Asian or of Asian descent, including Chinese, Indian, and Filipino individuals.

The incident occurred on Interstate 90, a part of the New York Thruway in the town of Pembroke, located about 48 kilometers east of Buffalo, while the bus was en route from Niagara Falls to New York City.

The National Transportation Safety Board stated that it has sent a team to investigate the incident.

O'Callahan mentioned that many passengers were trapped inside the wreckage, and rescuers had to extricate them, while others rushed out of the bus when it overturned across the highway and eventually came to rest on its side in a ditch beside the road, according to the Associated Press.

He stated that the driver, who survived the incident, lost control of the bus while it was traveling "at full speed," causing it to collide with the median before overturning. There was no involvement of other vehicles in the accident.

O'Callahan indicated that the bus driver is under investigation and that the police are in contact with the bus company whose identity has not been disclosed.

He added that the bus carried 51 passengers in addition to the driver, and that all on board sustained varying degrees of injury.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated via the X platform that the police confirmed "the tragic loss of 5 lives."

The accident led to the closure of the highway in both directions, causing massive traffic congestion.