Tour bus crash in upstate New York results in multiple fatalities.
A tragic tour bus accident on Interstate 90 near Pembroke, New York, has resulted in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries, including children. The incident took place around 12:40 p.m. on Friday, August 22, 2025, approximately 30 miles northeast of Buffalo, while the bus was returning to New York City from a visit to Niagara Falls.
New York State Police confirmed that over 50 passengers were aboard when the bus struck a median, rolled over, and ended up in a ditch beside the highway. Authorities reported “several” deaths, including at least one child, and indicated that all individuals on the bus sustained some degree of injury. Emergency responders mentioned that many passengers were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, leading to several being ejected from the vehicle. As rescue efforts progressed, some individuals remained trapped inside the bus.
The Erie County Medical Center, a designated level 1 adult trauma center, announced receiving 16 patients from the crash site, while a nonprofit air medical transport unit facilitated the transfer of four critical individuals to various hospitals. This unit also anticipated transporting at least two additional patients for urgent care.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul acknowledged the severity of the incident, stating that her administration was in close coordination with state and local authorities to provide aid and manage the rescue operations. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz described the event as a serious mass casualty incident occurring near the county’s border with Genesee County. The New York State Thruway was subsequently closed between Exit 48A and Exit 49, creating significant traffic delays as emergency personnel worked at the scene.
As of late Friday afternoon, the cause of the bus’s rollover remains unclear. Preliminary investigations suggested that the driver might have “overcorrected” after veering into the median, though the circumstances leading to this action are still under review. It is noted that the bus was traveling at full speed and did not collide with any other vehicles prior to the incident.
Witness accounts describe a chaotic scene with rescue crews rapidly responding to the emergency. Many of the passengers were reported to be tourists from diverse backgrounds, speaking languages such as Indian, Filipino, and Chinese, prompting authorities to employ translators to assist in communication.
The tour company operating the bus has expressed its willingness to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation aimed at uncovering the details surrounding this devastating accident. The situation remains fluid, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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