A sightseeing bus traveling from Niagara Falls to New York City overturned on Interstate 90 near Pembroke, New York, leaving five people dead and injuring many others. The accident occurred around 12:30 p.m. local time (5:30 p.m. UK), roughly 30 miles east of Buffalo.
According to New York State Police spokesperson Trooper James O’Callaghan, several passengers were ejected from the vehicle when its windows shattered, while others were trapped inside the wreckage. Among the 54 passengers were adults and children, most of whom were tourists of Indian, Chinese, and Filipino origin.
Emergency crews transported victims to multiple hospitals in Buffalo. Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) alone admitted 24 patients, with some requiring surgery for internal injuries, blunt trauma, and fractures. Other facilities, including Millard Fillmore Suburban, Buffalo General, and Oishei Children’s Hospital, also received patients. Air ambulances from Mercy Flight were dispatched to speed up medical evacuation.
At a press briefing, State Police Major Andre Ray stated that a preliminary investigation indicated the driver became distracted, overcorrected, and lost control, causing the bus to veer onto the shoulder before flipping. Mechanical failure and driver impairment were ruled out. The driver, who survived, is cooperating with investigators, and no charges had been filed by Friday evening.
Five adults, aged between 20s and 70s, were pronounced dead at the scene. Ray described the incident as “an absolute tragedy,” extending condolences to victims’ families. Medical staff expressed cautious optimism that the most severely injured patients would recover.
The absence of seat belts on the full-sized tour bus appears to have worsened the outcome, as many passengers were thrown from their seats. This detail underscores an ongoing safety debate: while federal law requires seat belts on newly manufactured buses, many older models in service still lack them, leaving passengers vulnerable in serious crashes.
The crash caused significant traffic disruption, with I-90 closed in both directions during one of the busiest weekends of the summer travel season. Niagara Falls, a major tourist destination attracting over nine million visitors annually, often draws international groups such as those on board the ill-fated bus.
Officials emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, but the tragedy highlights persistent concerns over motorcoach safety standards and the risks faced by travelers on long-haul tour routes.
