PEMBROKE, N.Y. — A tour bus carrying 51 passengers from Niagara Falls to New York City crashed on Friday, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. The incident occurred on Interstate 90 near Pembroke, approximately 25 miles east of Buffalo.

According to police, the bus lost control, leading to a rollover that ejected several passengers as windows shattered. “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 those on board.

Emergency services responded quickly, with several ambulances and medical helicopters transporting victims to local hospitals. O’Callaghan mentioned that most passengers were of Indian, Chinese, and Filipino descent, prompting the need for translators at the scene.

The bus was traveling eastbound when it veered into the median and ended up in a ditch on the right side of the highway. “The driver is alive and well,” O’Callaghan stated. “We’re working with him. We believe we have a good idea of what happened, why the bus lost control.”

Mercy Flight, a medical transport service, deployed three helicopters to assist in evacuating the injured. By 2:10 p.m., Erie County Medical Center reported receiving at least eight patients from the crash.

O’Callaghan described the bus as a full-size vehicle with significant damage. He indicated that many passengers likely were not wearing seat belts, which contributed to the number of ejections.

In addition to the three Mercy Flight helicopters, other services were called to the scene, along with ambulances from various local agencies. “It’s a very active scene,” said Mercy Flight president Margaret Ferrentino. “At this time we’re praying for the victims.”

The New York State Thruway Authority closed a lengthy stretch of the highway in both directions, advising drivers to avoid the area. New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her condolences on social media, stating that her office was coordinating with police and local officials.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with debris scattered across the roadway. “There was glass all over the road and people’s stuff all over the road,” said Powell Stephens of Medina, who passed by the crash site. “Windows were all shattered.”