PEMBROKE, NEW YORK – Five individuals were killed and dozens more injured in a horrific tour bus accident that occurred yesterday afternoon on the New York State Thruway. The bus, which was en route to New York City after a visit to Niagara Falls, overturned around 12:30 p.m. in the town of Pembroke, roughly 40 kilometers east of Buffalo.
The tragic event involved a bus carrying 54 passengers, with a diverse mix of ages ranging from a one-year-old infant to a 74-year-old senior. The majority of the passengers were of Indian, Chinese, and Filipino heritage.
According to preliminary reports from law enforcement officials, the bus driver lost control of the vehicle due to a lapse in concentration, followed by a sudden, erratic turn of the steering wheel. This abrupt maneuver is believed to have caused the bus to roll over on its side. While the cause of the driver’s distraction remains under investigation, the severity of the crash has highlighted concerns over highway safety and passenger protocols.
The crash site was an scene of devastation, with emergency crews from multiple agencies, including a helicopter, rushing to provide aid. Shattered glass and personal items were strewn across the interstate, leading to a temporary shutdown of traffic in both directions. In the aftermath, it was noted that a significant number of the passengers were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the incident, raising questions about compliance with state safety regulations. New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her condolences on social media, confirming that authorities were coordinating rescue and recovery efforts at the site. The accident underscores the critical importance of safety measures, including the mandatory use of seatbelts, to mitigate the risk of severe injury in such catastrophic events.
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