Five killed in tour bus crash on I-90 near Buffalo

A tour bus returning from Niagara Falls to New York City crashes on Interstate 90 near Pembroke, killing five and injuring many.

Five killed in tour bus crash on I-90 near Buffalo

A tour bus carrying 52 passengers from Niagara Falls to New York City crashed on Interstate 90 near Pembroke, New York, around 12:30 pm. Five people were killed and many were injured. Several passengers were ejected when windows shattered; others were trapped in the wreckage. ECMC in Buffalo reported receiving 24 patients, with some in need of urgent surgery. The driver survived and is cooperating with police. The crash closed the highway in both directions and caused major traffic delays as Mercy Flight moved patients to area hospitals.

Authorities said most travelers on the bus were from India, China, and the Philippines, and translators were being brought to the scene. The driver lost control while traveling at high speed and tried to correct the course, causing the bus to roll. Hospitals across the region treated blunt trauma, head injuries, and limb fractures, including several children. The Niagara Falls area remains a major tourist destination, and the incident adds to the risks travelers face on busy interstates.

This crash shows how quickly a routine trip can turn into a tragedy on a busy highway. It raises questions about safety on large tour buses, including seat belt policies, vehicle maintenance, and driver training. If passengers were not belted, the event underscores a long-standing safety gap that many regulators have tried to close. The United States relies on a mix of federal and state rules for tour buses, and incidents like this often prompt reviews of standards and enforcement.

Highlights

Travel safety and rapid emergency response will be tested in the days ahead as officials investigate the cause.