5 Dead After Tour Bus Returning From Niagara Falls Crashes

5 folks have been killed and dozens extra have been injured after a tour bus returning to New York from Niagara Falls rolled over on a freeway.

State police stated 52 folks have been on the bus when the driving force, who was “distracted” whereas on the New York State Thruway, lost control of the vehicle.

“It’s believed the operator grew to become distracted, misplaced management and overcorrected,” New York State Police spokesperson James O’Callaghan stated throughout a press convention.

O’Callaghan stated the bus was driving at “full velocity” however didn’t hit another automobiles when it crashed and rolled over right into a ditch. Most of the passengers have been ejected from the bus, whereas others grew to become trapped. Twenty-four folks were rushed to hospitals within the space.

“There was glass everywhere in the highway and other people’s stuff everywhere in the highway,” witness Powell Stephens told The Buffalo News.

The bus was carrying vacationers who had simply visited Niagara Falls close to the U.S.-Canada border. Most of the vacationers got here from international locations together with China, India, the Philippines and the Center East, state police Maj. Andre Ray stated at a Friday evening information convention. Police introduced in translators to assist with the response, he added.

Whereas the reason for the crash remains to be being investigated, Ray stated the driving force of the bus is cooperating with authorities. No prices in opposition to the driving force had been filed as of Saturday afternoon.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul expressed her condolences in a publish on X.

“Our hearts are with their family members throughout this tough time,” Hochul posted.

In 2021, a similar crash happened when a tour bus heading to Niagara Falls ran off the New York State Thruway, injuring 57 folks.