A tragic tour bus accident in upstate New York on Friday, August 22, 2025, resulted in the death of five people and injuries to dozens more. The bus, carrying 54 passengers including two employees of the bus company, was en route back to New York City from a trip to Niagara Falls when the accident occurred.
According to New York State Police, the bus was traveling eastbound on the New York State Thruway near Pembroke, approximately 30 miles northeast of Buffalo and 40 miles southeast of Niagara Falls. For reasons still under investigation, the driver lost control of the vehicle, which then went into the median, over-corrected, and ended up in a ditch on the side of the road. The bus was traveling at full speed and did not collide with any other vehicles.
"At this time we have multiple fatalities, multiple entrapments and multiple injuries," said Trooper James O'Callaghan, a spokesperson for the New York State Police. He noted that children were among the passengers. Initial reports indicated that one child was among the fatalities. The nationalities of most of the people on the bus were Indian, Chinese, and Filipino. Authorities are working to provide interpreters to assist those affected.
The severity of the crash led to multiple ejections as windows shattered, with many passengers not wearing seatbelts. "There were multiple ejections," O'Callaghan stated. "There were multiple people trapped and there's multiple fatalities, and this includes children as well."
Emergency responders, including fire departments, EMS, and multiple police agencies, rushed to the scene. Medical helicopters were used to transport the injured to area hospitals. Over 40 passengers were evaluated or treated at hospitals, with injuries ranging from head trauma to broken arms and legs. Erie County Medical Center, a level 1 adult trauma center, received 24 patients, including two who required surgery and two admitted to the intensive care unit. Six patients were treated at the University of Rochester Medical Center, with two in critical condition and four in stable condition.
The New York State Thruway was closed in both directions between exits 48A and 49, causing significant traffic disruptions. Authorities urged drivers to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.
The cause of the crash is under investigation, but police have ruled out mechanical failure and operator impairment. The bus driver is cooperating with the investigation, and no charges have been filed at this time. The bus company operating the tour was identified as M&Y Tour Inc.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated she was briefed on the "tragic tour bus accident" and that her office is working with police and local officials.
