A horrific bus crash in New York State has left multiple fatalities, prompting a coordinated response from state officials and emergency services. The crash occurred on Interstate 90, halfway between Buffalo and Rochester, NY. Our tour bus was returning to New York City after a splashy tour of the iconic Niagara Falls, nestled along the famous US-Canada border.
She called it a, “tragic accident,” as her lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, filled in Governor Kathy Hochul with further details. Her office has been in constant communication with state police, local law enforcement and emergency services to coordinate response and efforts. The bus was about half full with about 50 passengers, mostly tourists and mostly Indian, Chinese and Filipino.
Though the competition wasn’t long over when tragedy struck, following the crash, Attorney General Letitia James turned to social media platform X to express her grief. She labeled the gathering “heart-breaking.” She thanked first responders at the event, commending their quick response to the tragedy.
That’s because emergency response teams desperately scrambled for qualified interpreters to enable effective communication. This was especially important given the myriad backgrounds of the tourists participants.
Margaret Ferrentino, president of Mercy Flight, said the situation called for an immediate deployment of three helicopters. They were dispatched to take victims to local hospitals. She stated, “At this time we’re praying for the victims.” She said they had to call in additional ambulances and helicopters to help in the emergency response.
So far, reports state that at least one child was identified as one of the victims who was killed in this tragedy. By 2:10 PM local time, the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) reported having received at least eight patients from the accident, with more expected as additional transports arrived.
The operator of the tour bus survived the crash and is said to be uninjured. Preliminary investigations suggest that the bus rolled out of control while approaching the Pembroke exit on Interstate 90. It’s about 25 miles, as the crow flies, east of Buffalo.
State and federal officials are still closely monitoring the unfolding situation. Local and federal authorities are working around the clock to address the needs of victims’ families and ensure that everyone gets the medical care they require. Of course, the tragic incident has brought attention to the importance of safer transportation options for tourists. It further serves as a stark reminder of the emotional impact that these catastrophic accidents have on affected communities.