Multiple Fatalities in Tour Bus Crash Near Buffalo, N.Y.

A tour bus carrying over 50 passengers met with a tragic accident on September 29, 2023, as it returned to New York City from Niagara Falls. The bus rolled over on Interstate 90 near Pembroke, approximately 40 kilometers east of Buffalo, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries, according to local police.

The incident occurred when the bus lost control while traveling eastbound just before the Pembroke exit. Trooper James O’Callahan, a spokesperson for the New York State Police, reported that the vehicle veered into the median, overcorrected, and ultimately ended up in a ditch. This sudden movement led to passengers being ejected as the windows shattered.

Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, deploying several ambulances and medical helicopters to transport the injured. O’Callahan confirmed that there were “multiple fatalities, multiple entrapments, and multiple injuries.” By 14:10 ET, Erie County Medical Center, a prominent hospital in Buffalo, had received at least eight patients from the crash.

The bus was primarily occupied by individuals of Indian, Chinese, and Filipino descent. In response to the situation, translators were dispatched to assist victims and their families at the scene. The driver of the bus survived the crash; however, details regarding the extent of injuries among passengers remain unclear.

Emergency response was coordinated by the Mercy Flight air medical transport service, which reported the deployment of three helicopters to airlift patients to nearby hospitals. Additionally, Margaret Ferrentino, president of Mercy Flight, stated that three more helicopters from different services were called in to aid the situation. “It’s a very active scene,” she remarked, adding, “At this time we’re praying for the victims.”

The New York State Thruway Authority announced that a significant stretch of I-90 was closed in both directions, urging drivers to avoid the area. Governor Kathy Hochul acknowledged the “tragic tour bus accident” on X, indicating that her office was in communication with police and local officials to assess the situation and provide necessary support.

Witnesses described the aftermath of the crash, with one bystander, Powell Stephens, noting, “There was glass all over the road and people’s stuff all over the road. Windows were all shattered.”

As authorities continue their investigation into the cause of the crash, further updates will be provided on this tragic incident.