A devastating crash on the New York State Thruway Friday afternoon claimed the lives of five people and left dozens injured after a tour bus carrying more than 50 passengers from Niagara Falls to New York City rolled over near Pembroke. According to state police, the crash occurred just before the Pembroke exit when the bus suddenly lost control. Witnesses described passengers being thrown from the vehicle as windows shattered during the violent rollover.
Trooper James O’Callahan, speaking at the scene, said there were “multiple fatalities, multiple entrapments, and multiple injuries” as emergency responders worked frantically to free those trapped inside. The bus was headed eastbound when, for reasons still under investigation, the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to veer into the median before overcorrecting and ending up in a ditch on the right side of the road. Authorities confirmed that the driver survived the crash and showed no signs of impairment. A mechanical failure was also ruled out, further deepening the mystery behind the cause.
The 54 passengers onboard included people from India, China, and the Philippines, prompting officials to bring in translators to help communicate with survivors and their families. The age range of those onboard spanned from as young as 1 year old to 74 years old, according to State Police Maj. Andre Ray, who confirmed that some passengers were ejected during the rollover. Emergency response was swift and massive, with multiple ambulances and at least six medical helicopters deployed to transport victims. Mercy Flight sent all three of its helicopters to the scene. Erie County Medical Center reported treating at least eight patients by early afternoon, confirming that several people had already died at the scene.
Kaleida Health hospitals received 20 patients across three locations. Buffalo General admitted four adults, all in good condition, with one later discharged. Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital took in 13 patients, including 11 adults and two children, with most in good condition and three listed in fair condition.
Oishei Children’s Hospital treated three children, two of whom were reported in good condition, while one remained in serious condition. Six other patients were transported to the University of Rochester Medical Center, with three arriving via helicopter and three by ambulance. Officials reported two of those patients were in critical condition, while the other four were stable.
Hospitals emphasized that their teams regularly prepare for large-scale emergencies, with Kaleida Health issuing a statement expressing gratitude to first responders and medical staff for their quick action. “While we hope that events like this never occur, our teams regularly practice and participate in mass casualty incident drills to ensure we are ready to care for our community during any type of emergency,” the health system said.
Meanwhile, the New York State Thruway Authority closed a long stretch of I-90 in both directions as investigators worked at the crash site. Drivers were urged to avoid the area, as traffic delays mounted throughout the evening. New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed she had been briefed on the “tragic tour bus accident” and announced that her office was working closely with state police and local officials to coordinate response and support efforts. The American Red Cross established a Family Assistance Center at the Amherst Senior Center in Buffalo to provide resources for victims and their families.
The center, located at 370 John James Audubon Parkway, was staffed with counselors and support services, with a hotline set up at 716-626-3050 for inquiries. State police have asked that anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage contact their Batavia headquarters at 585-344-6200 as the investigation continues. Authorities remain focused on piecing together exactly what led to the rollover, given that impairment and mechanical issues have already been ruled out. The tragic incident left a lasting impact across the region, with hospitals, first responders, and state officials working in unison to treat the injured and provide comfort to grieving families.
