Horror on the Thruway
A bus with 51 people on board from Niagara Falls to New York City crashed on Interstate 90 Friday afternoon, killing several and injuring many more, New York State Police said.
The accident occurred close to Pembroke, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Buffalo, when the bus swerved from the eastbound lanes, crossed over the median, and overturned into a ditch. The crash also shattered windows, depositing passengers onto the road.
Trooper James O’Callaghan, State Police spokesperson, confirmed “multiple fatalities, multiple entrapments and multiple injuries,” terming the incident devastating.
Passengers Ejected, Rescue in Motion
Emergency personnel scrambled to the scene, with multiple ambulances and a minimum of six medical helicopters transporting victims to hospitals in the area. Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) in Buffalo said it had received eight patients by mid-day.
Mercy Flight, an air medical transport service, deployed three helicopters, while other air and ground units joined the rescue. Margaret Ferrentino, Mercy Flight’s president, called it “a very active scene,” adding, “At this time we’re praying for the victims.”
The majority of the passengers were confirmed as Indian, Chinese, and Filipino nationals. Translators were summoned to aid authorities in speaking to survivors. Officials observed that quite a number of passengers probably weren’t buckled up, which led to the large number of individuals being thrown out of the bus.
“The driver is okay and well,” O’Callaghan stated. “We’re talking to him and think we know what occurred, why the bus went out of control.”
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Community Shock and State Response
The New York State Thruway Authority closed a lengthy portion of I-90 in both directions, and people were asked to stay away from the location. It was a scene of havoc, according to witnesses. “There was glass covering the road and people’s belongings all over,” said Powell Stephens of Medina.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul posted her condolences on social media, describing it as a “tragic tour bus accident.” She went on to state that her office is coordinating with the police and local agencies in regards to the response.
While investigators search for the reason, the spotlight is on the dozens of families now dealing with unimaginable loss.
