A serious accident on the New York State Thruway on Friday afternoon took the lives of five people and injured dozens more when a tour bus carrying over 50 passengers rolled over near Pembroke. The bus was traveling from Niagara Falls to New York City when it suddenly lost control just before the Pembroke exit.
Witnesses described a harrowing scene as windows shattered and passengers were thrown from the bus during the violent rollover. Trooper James O’Callahan reported multiple fatalities, injuries, and people trapped inside the vehicle as emergency teams worked urgently to rescue victims.
The bus veered into the median and then overcorrected, ending up in a ditch on the right shoulder of the road. The driver survived and showed no signs of impairment, and mechanical failure has been ruled out, leaving investigators searching for the cause.
The passengers came from diverse backgrounds, including individuals from India, China, and the Philippines. Translators were brought in to assist communication with survivors and their families. The age range onboard spanned from toddlers to elderly adults.
Emergency response was extensive, with numerous ambulances and six medical helicopters called to the scene. Mercy Flight dispatched all three of its helicopters to transport the most seriously injured.
By early afternoon, Erie County Medical Center had treated at least eight patients, some of whom had already died at the scene. Kaleida Health hospitals received 20 patients across three locations, with most in stable or good condition. A few patients remained in fair or serious condition, including children treated at Oishei Children’s Hospital.
Six other patients were sent to the University of Rochester Medical Center; among them, two were in critical condition.
Local hospitals praised first responders and medical staff for their swift and practiced emergency response, highlighting their readiness for mass casualty incidents.
The New York State Thruway Authority closed a significant stretch of Interstate 90 in both directions during the investigation, causing major traffic delays. Drivers were warned to avoid the area.
Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed she was briefed on the tragic crash and said her office is coordinating with police and local officials to support victims and families.
The American Red Cross opened a Family Assistance Center at Amherst Senior Center in Buffalo, staffed with counselors and support. A hotline was set up for inquiries.
State police have asked witnesses or those with dashcam footage to contact their Batavia headquarters as the investigation proceeds.
With impairment and mechanical faults ruled out, the cause of the rollover remains under investigation. The tragedy deeply affected the region, with coordinated efforts ongoing to care for the injured and comfort grieving families.
