Tragic tour bus crash blocks Thruway

A bus crash on the New York State Thruway near Pembroke blocks eastbound lanes and disrupts travel for miles.

Tragic tour bus crash halts traffic on New York State Thruway in WNY

A bus crash on the eastbound lanes of the New York State Thruway has blocked all eastbound traffic between Exit 48A in Pembroke and Exit 49 at Transit Road in Cheektowaga, triggering long backups. Gov. Kathy Hochul said she was briefed on a tragic tour bus accident and no further details were immediately available. The Thruway Authority confirmed the closure and described the incident as developing as crews work at the scene, with backups extending for miles.

This is a developing situation and authorities say information will be released as it becomes available. Local outlets are monitoring the scene and state officials are coordinating the response with emergency crews.

The incident highlights how quickly a single crash can turn a routine trip into a time sink for thousands of travelers. It also underscores the importance of clear, timely communication from official channels during a crisis. When a governor acknowledges a faultless tragedy, public expectations rise for swift updates and transparent details. In the days ahead, the challenge will be to balance speed with accuracy as investigators determine cause and next steps while keeping the traveling public informed.

Highlights

As responders work to restore flow, travel plans will depend on updates from officials.