NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A bus carrying a band from a Long Island high school overturned on I-84 in in Orange County Thursday afternoon, killing 2 adults, and injuring 42 youths, including 5 in critical condition.
At a press conference early Thursday night, Gov. Kathy Hochul said the "initial determination" is that a "faulty front tire contributed to the accident."
The fatalities were identified as Gina Pellettiere, 43, from Massapequa, and Beatrice Ferrari, 77, from Farmingdale.
The crash happened around 1 p.m. This bus was carrying students from Farmingdale High School in Nassau County. The students were heading to Greeley, Pennsylvania, for band camp.
Those injured were transported to 6 area hospitals, including Westchester County Medical Center and Garnet Health Medical Center.
The students who did not require hospitalization were taken to a community building for reunification in Orange County.
The overturned bus was one of six in a caravan carrying students to the band camp.
Videos from the scene showed the bus in the median of I-84, suggesting it rolled down part of the slope before landing on its side.
"At my direction, personnel from the New York State Police and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services are onsite to assist local emergency response teams." Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement Thursday afternoon. "We are grateful for the first responders whose speedy action saved lives and we will continue to support them however necessary. Our hearts are with all who are impacted by this horrific situation."
The National Transportation Safety Board's lead investigator announced during a briefing on Friday that the investigation is ongoing.