New York Tour Bus Overturns on Highway, 5 Passengers Dead

A tragic bus accident on a western New York motorway has left five people dead after a tour bus from Niagara Falls crashed and rolled over. The bus carried 54 passengers with ages between 1 and 74 years. The driver lost control of the vehicle when he became distracted, which led to overcorrection and caused the bus to roll over on the interstate. Emergency responders found five adults dead at the scene. The crash left 49 other passengers with various injuries. Rescue teams worked hard to free numerous passengers who became trapped in the wreckage. The tour group consisted mainly of tourists from India, China, and the Philippines. Local hospital staff admitted twenty-four adult patients, and doctors believe they will recover completely.

Tour bus crashes near Niagara Falls, killing 5

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“This is an ongoing incident. We don’t have all the answers.” — James O’Callaghan, Trooper, New York State Police

A devastating tour bus accident unfolded on Interstate 90 in Pembroke, New York on August 22, 2025. The incident occurred at 12:22 PM when an M&Y Tour Inc. bus crashed while traveling eastbound between exits 48A and 49 in Genesee County. State Troopers from SP Buffalo, Troop T quickly arrived at the scene, which was situated 25 miles east of Buffalo and 40 miles southeast of Niagara Falls.

The accident sequence began when the bus veered into the median. The driver’s sudden correction caused the vehicle to overturn and roll down the south embankment of I-90. The bus traveled at “full speed” during the crash, though State Police Trooper James O’Callaghan confirmed no other vehicles were involved.

The bus carried 54 people – 52 passengers and two company employees. The passengers’ ages spanned from 1 to 74 years, with most being of Chinese, Filipino, and Indian descent. New York State Police Major Andre Ray confirmed that most passengers were international visitors.

Trooper O’Callaghan described the scene: “It’s a full-size tour bus with a heavy amount of damage. Most people I’m assuming on the bus did not have a seat belt on, that is the reason why we have so many ejected people”. Several victims were thrown from the rolling vehicle, while others became trapped under the wreckage.

The accident forced authorities to close the New York State Thruway between exits 48A and 49 in both directions. Emergency crews worked at the scene for several hours.

Emergency crews rescue dozens from wreckage

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Emergency teams rushed to rescue dozens of people trapped after a bus accident in New York state. The scene buzzed with activity as Mercy Flight medical transport service sent three helicopters. Three more aircraft from other services joined to help evacuate the injured. Ambulances and emergency vehicles lined both sides of the highway, creating a corridor of flashing red and yellow lights.

The accident sent 47 people to various regional hospitals. Erie County Medical Center treated most patients – 24 people with head injuries, extremity fractures, and other trauma. The University of Rochester Medical Center received six victims through air and ground transport. Two patients were in critical condition while four remained medically stable.

Kaleida Health facilities cared for 20 patients, including five children. One child’s condition remained serious. Most passengers came from Indian, Chinese, and Filipino backgrounds, which led authorities to bring translators and 15-20 translation devices to hospitals.

“We were able to take care of all patients very quickly,” said Dr. Jennifer Pugh, chief of emergency medicine at Erie County Medical Center. A medical professional called this “probably the most trauma patients from one incident in my career here in Buffalo”.

Mercy Flight’s president Margaret Ferrentino described making multiple trips between the crash site and medical centers. “I think we will be busy for a while here,” she said. “It is a multiagency response, both air and ground”.

Investigators rule out mechanical failure and impairment

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New York State Police investigators have ruled out two possible causes of the deadly tour bus accident in New York state. Their investigation shows that neither mechanical failure nor driver impairment played a role in the crash. Major Andre J. Ray, a New York State Police troop commander, shared these findings at a press briefing Friday evening.

The initial investigation points to driver distraction as the cause. The driver lost control of the vehicle and overcorrected, which sent the bus rolling into a ditch. “It’s believed the operator became distracted, lost control, over-corrected and ended up on the right shoulder there,” Major Ray explained.

The driver has survived the crash and worked with authorities throughout the investigation, though their identity remains private[161]. The severe bus accident hasn’t led to any charges against the driver yet[132]. Officials say it’s too soon to decide if charges will be filed[144].

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will send a specialized “go-team” to investigate safety concerns[144]. The team should reach the crash site by Saturday morning. They plan to work alongside the New York State Police and the New York State Department of Transportation Motor Carrier Compliance Bureau.

State Police at SP Batavia (716) 289-4279 want to hear from anyone who saw the bus accident or has dash cam footage.

The devastating bus accident ranks among the worst tour bus crashes western New York has seen over the last several years. Five people lost their lives, and 47 others sustained injuries ranging from minor to critical. Emergency teams were quick to respond and set up a detailed rescue operation. Multiple helicopters, ambulances, and regional medical facilities worked together to treat victims from various international backgrounds.

Initial investigations point to driver distraction as the likely cause of the deadly crash. The authorities have ruled out both mechanical failure and driver impairment. The driver lost control of the vehicle and overcorrected, which ended up causing the bus to roll over on Interstate 90 near Pembroke.

A specialized team from the National Transportation Safety Board will without doubt take a closer look at every aspect of this tragedy. Medical staff at several hospitals continue to care for injured passengers. Many patients face additional challenges because of language barriers as they recover away from home.

The exact cause of the driver’s distraction remains unclear. This accident expresses how crucial a driver’s alertness becomes when responsible for dozens of passengers. The whole ordeal reminds us how life can change in an instant on the road. Families from multiple countries now deal with the aftermath of this unexpected tragedy.