A tragic New York State crash killed five people and injured 49 after a tour bus overturned on Interstate 90 near Pembroke. The bus traveled from Niagara Falls to New York City with 54 passengers on board. Passengers ranged in age from 1 to 74 years old.
First, officials released the names of the five victims involved in the New York State crash. They include Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, from India; Xie Hongzhuo, 22, a Columbia University student from China; Pinki Changrani, 60, from New Jersey; and Zhang Xiaolan, 55, along with Jian Mingli, 56, both from New Jersey.
Meanwhile, the bus driver, Bin Shao, 55, from Flushing, New York, showed no signs of impairment. The Staten Island-based company owns the bus. Witnesses said the bus lost control, crossed the median, abruptly corrected, and then overturned on the highway’s southern shoulder.
Emergency crews quickly rushed to the New York State crash site. Several passengers ejected or became trapped. Five people died at the scene. Mercy Flight and EMS teams immediately transported the injured to hospitals.
Hospitals across Buffalo treated many victims. Erie County Medical Center cared for 24 patients, some requiring surgery. Doctors reported head trauma, broken bones, and internal injuries. Moreover, ECMC’s chief medical officer called this the worst trauma case in his 25-year career.
In addition, Strong Memorial, Oishei Children’s, Buffalo General, and Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospitals treated other injured passengers. Many victims came from Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and Filipino communities.
Officials believe most passengers did not wear seat belts, which likely worsened injuries. Therefore, investigators continue examining the New York State crash to uncover more details.
Although early reports suggested otherwise, officials confirmed no children died in the crash. Some children were hospitalized but sustained only minor injuries. Recent updates show no other patients remain in life-threatening condition. Many have already left the hospital.
The bus company maintains a satisfactory safety rating, although it failed some vehicle inspections in recent years. Meanwhile, the community mourns this tragedy as investigators work to determine the crash’s cause.
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