PEMBROKE, N.Y. — Five people died Friday afternoon when a tour bus crashed and rolled over on the New York State Thruway near Pembroke.
The crash happened when the bus lost control just before the Pembroke exit. Passengers were thrown from the vehicle as windows shattered. Some of the passengers were not wearing seat belts.
During an evening news conference, State Police Maj. Andre Ray said the passengers ranged in age from 1 to 74 years old. Some people were ejected during the crash. Dozens were taken to hospitals.
The tour bus was carrying more than 50 passengers from Niagara Falls to New York City, state police said.
Trooper James O’Callahan, a spokesperson for the New York State Police, said the bus was traveling eastbound when "for unknown reasons the vehicle lost control, went in