Cheektowaga, N.Y. (WBEN) - The National Transportation Safety Board said Saturday it is investigating the rollover crash of a tour bus on the New York State Thruway on Friday that killed five people and left dozens of others seriously injured.
NTSB Board member Tom Chapman offered condolences to victims, while praising the first responders at an afternoon press conference in Cheektowaga.
The crash happened at 12:45 p.m. Friday on the I-90 Eastbound at Mile Marker 404, near Pembroke. Investigators said the bus veered left, then swerved right before overturning. The vehicle was carrying a driver, a tour guide and 52 passengers.
Chapman went through some of the details of the investigation, saying the NTSB probe into Friday's fatal crash will run concurrently with the New York State Police investigation, as both agencies work to determine what caused the rollover. The bus was equipped with seat belts, and investigators are reviewing whether they were used.
A camera was recovered from the bus, while the vehicle’s data recorder, GPS and dash camera will be analyzed. Investigators are examining the bus’s mechanical condition, driver fatigue, distraction, speed and the tour company’s safety policies.
The tour company is said to be cooperating with authorities.
The NTSB will remain on scene for 4-to-6 days. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, while a final report with findings and recommendations is expected in a 12-to-24-month period.
An NTSB specialist is available to assist families and survivors. Officials also urged anyone who witnessed the crash or has video to contact the agency at witness@ntsb.gov.
Chapman says the agency’s mission is not only to determine the cause of the crash but also to issue recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.
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