At least five people have been killed and dozens injured after a tour bus overturned on a busy highway in upstate New York this afternoon.
The tour bus crashed and rolled over along I-90 in Pembroke, near Buffalo, killing at least five people as more than 20 passengers were rushed to hospital.
‘While heading Eastbound, just before Exit 48A, the operator lost control of the bus, exiting the roadway and rolling the tour bus,’ New York State Police said at a press conference.
‘Tragically multiple people were ejected from the bus, with five people deceased at the scene.’
Officials said the cause of the crash remains under investigation, however mechanical failure and operator impairment have been ruled out ‘at this time.’ No charges have been made at this time and no other vehicles are said to have been involved.
The bus was traveling from Niagara Falls to New York City and had at least 52 people on board, WROC reports.
Photographs from the scene show the bus turned over on its side and emergency responders including police and fire crews along the highway.
Two cranes were brought to the scene to assist with the rescue operations, CBS reports, while multiple emergency medical helicopters were been flown in.
Both sides of the interstate were closed following the crash, including exits 48A and 49, but police have since reopened the westbound lane of traffic.
State trooper James O’Callaghan told reporters during the rescue operation: ‘As we’re progressing through this, we’re losing more people unfortunately. Most people on the bus did not have a seatbelt on.’
He confirmed that multiple children were on board and that some may have been trapped following the crash. The bus driver survived and is ‘alive and well,’ he added.
In an update from doctors at Erie County Medical Center, the hospital confirmed they had received 24 victims from the bus crash.
Doctors said four of those victims have been discharged and 20 remain in their care.
Two went into surgery and others were moved to the intensive care unit. Doctors said the victims’ injuries range from head trauma to extremity fractures, and that they expect everyone to recover.
Child victims were reportedly taken to a different hospital. Officials stated in an update that no children had been killed in the crash.
State troopers said the bus had been heading eastbound when it lost control, went over the median and ended up in a ditch.
First responders continued to rescue those who remain trapped and injured throughout Friday afternoon. Reported injuries include cuts, bruises and abrasions.
The NYC bound bus was transporting tourists from China, India and the Philippines as well as some American passengers, officials said.
‘Emergency personnel are on scene, and additional ambulances and medical support have been requested,’ said New York State Police Sgt. Jack Keller.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has been ‘briefed on the tragic tour bus accident’ and confirmed that a rescue operation is underway.
‘My team is coordinating closely with the police and local officials who are working to rescue and provide assistance to everyone involved,’ she said in a statement.
Many victims are being transported to nearby Strong Memorial Hospital and Erie County Medical Center.
The ConnectLife blood and organ donation network has issued an an emergency appeal for blood donations in wake of the accident.
Officials say drivers should expect ‘heavy delays’ and have urged them to avoid the area and seek alternate travel routes.