Tour Bus Crash Near Buffalo Kills Multiple, Including Child — Dozens Injured

By Jerry Williams

PEMBROKE, NEW YORK — A tour bus returning from Niagara Falls crashed and overturned on the New York State Thruway on Saturday, killing multiple passengers and injuring dozens, including children.

New York State Police confirmed that 52 people were on board when the bus veered off the eastbound lane near Pembroke — about 30 miles from Buffalo — and landed in a ditch. At least one child has died, and officials say more fatalities are expected.

Trooper James O’Callaghan said several passengers were thrown from the vehicle, many of whom were not wearing seatbelts. “As we’re progressing through this, we’re losing more people unfortunately,” he told reporters at the scene.

The passengers — mostly tourists from India, China, and the Philippines — were traveling from Niagara Falls to New York City when the bus lost control. Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle flip onto its side.

Emergency responders, including ambulances and medical helicopters, rushed to the scene. At least seven people have been hospitalized, and several remain trapped inside the wreckage. Translators have been dispatched to help communicate with survivors.

“There was glass all over the road and people’s stuff everywhere,” witness Powell Stephens told The Buffalo News. “Windows were shattered. Everyone seemed conscious, but I only saw the scene for about 15 seconds.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said state and local agencies are “working to rescue and provide assistance to everyone involved.”

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities have yet to confirm the total number of deaths.