Pembroke, N.Y. (WBEN) - A tour bus returning to New York City from Niagara Falls with 54 people aboard crashed and rolled Friday on the New York State Thruway, killing five passengers and injuring many others.
The driver, identified as Bin Shao, 55 of Flushing, N.Y., apparently became distracted, lost control and overcorrected before the bus went into the right shoulder and flipped over shortly before 12:30 p.m. on the Eastbound side of Interstate 90 in Pembroke, N.Y., about 25 miles East of Buffalo.
State police did not say how Shao became distracted, adding that the cause remains under investigation.
The passengers ranged in age from 1 to 74. Multiple people were ejected from the bus during the crash, and five people — all adults — were pronounced dead at the scene, Ray said.
The five deceased as a result of the collision have been identified:
- Shankar Kumar Jha, 65 of Madhu Bani, India
- Pinki Changrani, 60 of East Brunswick N.J.
- Xie Hongzhuo, 22 of Beijing, China (a Columbia University Student in New York City)
- Zhang Xiaolan, 55 of Jersey City, N.J.
- Jian Mingli, 56 of Jersey City, N.J.
“An absolute tragedy took place,” NYS Police Major Andre Ray said. “And first and foremost, our thoughts, prayers and hearts go out to those involved, their friends and their families.”
State police said most of the passengers on the bus were of Indian, Chinese and Filipino ethnicity, and authorities brought in translators to help with the emergency response.
Ray said a preliminary investigation ruled out mechanical failure or driver impairment. No charges had been filed as of Friday evening.
The bus, owned by M&Y Tour Inc., the only vehicle involved in the crash. It was chartered from New York City and was returning from Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Several ambulances and medical helicopters transported patients from the crash.
The Mercy Flight air medical transport service said its three helicopters were transporting people from the crash site to area hospitals. Three other helicopters from other services were being called to the scene, as well as ambulances from multiple area agencies.
Erie County Medical Center was notified of the mass casualty incident, and activated its command center just after 1 p.m. The hospital treated more than 20 people from the crash, with a number of them being released later in the day.
A number of the other patients were transported to hospitals in the Kaleida Health network, as well as Strong Memorial Hospital for treatment in Rochester.
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There was a massive emergency response from first responders across all levels, including local, county and state government agencies. Local officials at the county and state level have also been informed of the incident.
In addition, the National Transportation Safety Bureau (NTSB) has announced it is sending a go-team, in coordination with New York State Police and NYSDOT's Motor Carrier Compliance Bureau, to conduct a safety investigation into Friday's crash.
At an earlier news conference, Trooper James O'Callaghan said it appeared most people on the bus were not wearing seat belts..
In response to another bus crash in New York in 2023, a state law requires seat belt use on charter buses built on or after Nov. 28, 2016. The age of the bus in Friday's crash wasn't immediately known.
The New York State Thruway Authority said a lengthy stretch of the roadway had been shut down in both directions and drivers were being urged to avoid the area. The westbound lanes were reopened later in the day.
People who saw the aftermath of the wreck said glass and people's belongings were scattered on the highway.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has dash cam footage is asked to contact State Police at SP Batavia at (716) 289-4279.