Five Dead as Tour Bus Overturns Near Pembroke, New York

A tour bus overturned near Pembroke, New York, killing five of its 54 passengers. Most were of Indian, Chinese, and Filipino descent, returning from Niagara Falls. Authorities said the driver was distracted, with no mechanical failure or impairment involved. Emergency teams responded, and the highway was closed. Governor Hochul and Senator Schumer offered condolences.

Five people tragically lost their lives after a tour bus overturned and crashed in New York state on Friday, according to authorities. The accident has left the local community and the families of the victims in shock.

“Tragically, multiple people were ejected from the bus, with five people deceased at the scene,” New York State Police troop commander Andre Ray told reporters, emphasizing the severity of the crash and the immediate impact on those involved.

Describing the incident as “an absolute tragedy,” Ray noted that the passengers on board spanned a wide age range, from as young as one year old to as old as 74, underscoring the vulnerability of those involved.

Earlier reports from police spokesperson James O’Callaghan indicated that most of the 52 passengers were of Indian, Chinese, and Filipino descent, highlighting the international diversity of the group, which was likely on a sightseeing tour.

In total, 54 people were on the bus at the time of the crash, which had been returning from a visit to Niagara Falls, one of North America’s most popular tourist attractions located on the US-Canada border. The bus overturned on Interstate-90 near Pembroke, roughly 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Buffalo, creating a scene of devastation.

Police commander Ray stated that the cause of the crash remains under investigation, though he clarified that both mechanical failure and operator impairment had been ruled out as contributing factors. He explained that preliminary findings suggested the driver became distracted, lost control of the vehicle, and over-corrected, leading to the bus overturning.

“The driver has been cooperative, and with the investigation still underway, no charges have been filed at this point,” Ray said, emphasizing that authorities are focused on understanding the circumstances fully before determining legal action.

Ray also addressed earlier reports suggesting that a child had died in the crash, confirming that these reports were false. The clarification came as authorities worked to provide accurate information to the public amid a rapidly developing situation.

Emergency response teams acted swiftly, with at least six medevac helicopters from various services dispatched to the scene to transport injured passengers to hospitals for urgent care. The highway was temporarily closed in both directions following the accident, resulting in major traffic disruptions and highlighting the scale of the emergency response required.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement via Twitter, confirming that she had been briefed on the “tragic tour bus accident” and that her office was coordinating closely with local officials and police to manage the situation. “Our hearts are with their loved ones during this difficult time,” she tweeted after the death toll had been confirmed, expressing solidarity with the families affected.

Senator Chuck Schumer, the senior US senator from New York, also offered his condolences, saying, “I’m heartbroken for all those we’ve lost and all those injured, and I am praying for their families.” He took a moment to acknowledge the tireless efforts of the emergency responders, thanking them for their dedication and professionalism in managing a scene of such widespread devastation.

The incident has prompted renewed attention on tour bus safety and the challenges of ensuring passenger security on major highways, as authorities continue their investigation into how a seemingly routine return trip ended in tragedy.