Buffalo: Five passengers were killed and 40 others injured when a New York-bound tourist bus from Niagara Falls overturned on Highway 90 near Pembrook on Saturday afternoon, authorities said. The accident occurred around 12:15 pm (local time), about 40 kilometres from Buffalo.
The bus was carrying 54 passengers, aged between one and 74, who had come for tourism from India, China and the Philippines. Police said the identities of the victims had not been made public till the time of reporting.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed condolences to the families of the victims and said the state government would extend all possible support.
According to police spokesman Andre Ray, the bus belonging to a private tour company was travelling at a normal speed when it suddenly veered off the road and overturned.
Rescue teams broke the glass panes of the vehicle to pull out the injured. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. Ray said initial findings showed no signs of negligence on the part of the driver. All five victims were adults.
Authorities arranged bilingual support to assist survivors from Indian, Chinese and Filipino backgrounds.
Dr Jeffrey Brewer of Buffalo Hospital said two lives were saved after emergency surgeries on critically injured passengers. He added that 38 others remain under treatment but are out of danger.
Eyewitnesses said many passengers were not wearing seat belts, which contributed to the high number of injuries.
