In the wake of a tragic tour bus crash that has left four dead and more than 40 injured. The crash occurred on an interstate highway near Pembroke, approximately 40 kilometers east of Buffalo, New York, as the bus was en route from Niagara Falls to New York City. The bus was loaded with children returning from a field trip at the moment it flipped, with 54 total passengers onboard.
Responding nearly immediately to the scene was the New York State Police, who were soon counting multiple deaths, entrapments, and serious injuries. Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene. As witness Powell Stephens said, “There was glass all over the highway and people’s belongings all over the highway.”
Emergency Response and Casualties
Emergency services labored around the clock to evacuate the wounded from the impact zone. Each time, Mercy Flight put a total of three helicopters into service on the medical transport. At the same time, other medical transports brought three new helicopters into play. According to reports, two of the victims were taken to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo where they’re undergoing surgery. Beyond this, over 40 people were evaluated or treated at local hospitals in the area.
Trooper James O’Callaghan of the New York State Police confirmed that numerous fatalities have occurred. He said that thousands are caged and millions are hurt. He said that the absence of seat belts played a “crucial role” in the severity of their injuries. I’m willing to bet that the majority of those riders were not in seat belts on their bus. That’s probably the reason why so many were forcibly ejected in the middle of the incident.
Investigation Underway
The authorities are continuing to investigate the crash. New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who has been briefed on the situation, referred to it as a “tragic tour bus accident.” Her office is working with local police and other officials to determine what happened that led to the incident. The highway on which the crash occurred is still closed in both directions as crash investigators collect evidence and assess the site.
The tragic accident has again focused attention on the safety of passengers on tour buses, especially the use of seat belts. Local and state officials are looking into the crash to determine what caused it. Many questions still remain about how such a tragedy could occur.
