Tour Bus Crash New York: Investigation Underway After Tragic Incident Near Pembroke

A tragic accident occurred in western New York when a tour bus carrying 54 individuals overturned on the New York State Thruway near the town of Pembroke. The incident, which took place shortly after noon, resulted in the tragic deaths of five passengers, while dozens of others were injured. The bus, operated by M&Y Tour Inc. and traveling from Niagara Falls to New York City, lost control near mile marker 4039, leading to a rollover off Interstate 90.

Initial investigations by New York State Police indicate that the driver, who is cooperating with authorities, became distracted, causing the bus to veer into the median and subsequently overcorrect, overturning along the southern shoulder. There were no other vehicles involved in the incident, and both mechanical failure and driver impairment have been ruled out as causes.

The passengers ranged in age from 1 to 74, hailing from various countries including the United States, China, India, the Philippines, and the Middle East. Notably, none of the fatalities involved children, although several minors received treatment for injuries. At least 47 individuals were transported to regional hospitals, with injuries ranging from critical to stable conditions.

Emergency medical services swiftly responded, with Mercy Flight deploying helicopters for airlifting critically injured passengers to local hospitals. Key facilities involved in the medical response included Erie County Medical Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, and Kaleida Health, all of which reported receiving patients from the crash.

The National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched a team to investigate the accident in conjunction with New York State Police and the Department of Transportation Motor Carrier Compliance Bureau. The bus, which had a satisfactory safety record over the past two years, has been impounded for further investigation.

The incident led to a temporary closure of the Thruway in both directions, significantly impacting traffic in the region. State and local officials, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul, have expressed their condolences and have been actively involved in coordinating the response efforts.

This accident has sparked discussions regarding the use of seat belts on charter buses, following New York's 2023 legislation mandating seat belt use on newer buses. Investigators continue to scrutinize the details of the incident, and the ongoing investigation will aim to provide further clarity on the causes and factors involved in this tragic event.