A tragic bus crash occurred on Friday, August 22, 2025, on the eastbound side of Interstate 90, near Pembroke, New York, about 25 miles east of Buffalo. A tour bus, returning to New York City from Niagara Falls, was carrying 54 passengers when it crashed and rolled over, leading to the deaths of five adult passengers and injuring many more.
According to state police Maj. Andre Ray, the driver appeared to have been distracted, which caused him to lose control of the bus. The driver reportedly overcorrected, leading the bus to veer into the right shoulder and subsequently flip over. This incident occurred shortly before 12:30 p.m. No definitive cause has been established for the distraction, as the investigation is still ongoing.
The passengers onboard were aged between 1 and 74 years, and multiple individuals were ejected from the bus during the crash. Five adults were pronounced dead at the scene, while many others suffered various injuries and were trapped inside the wreckage. Emergency responders worked swiftly to rescue those entrapped and transported dozens of injured passengers to local hospitals. Fortunately, it appears there were no life-threatening injuries among the survivors.
Maj. Ray expressed sympathies for the victims, stating, "An absolute tragedy took place. And first and foremost, our thoughts, prayers, and hearts go out to those involved, their friends, and their families." The demographics of the bus passengers reflected a diverse group, primarily of Indian, Chinese, and Filipino ethnicity, and translation services were provided for the emergency response.
The preliminary investigation into the crash ruled out mechanical failure and driver impairment as possible factors. The driver survived and is reportedly cooperating with the authorities. As of Friday evening, no charges had been filed against him. The National Transportation Safety Board has announced that it will send a team to assist in the investigation.
Emergency response units, including the Mercy Flight medical transport service, utilized several helicopters to transport passengers from the crash site. Reportedly, over 40 people were evaluated or treated at local hospitals for a range of injuries, including head trauma and broken limbs. At least two individuals required surgery at the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo but were expected to recover.
The tour bus involved in the incident was owned by M&Y Tour Inc., based in Staten Island. A request for comment from the company has gone unanswered. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration indicates that M&Y Tour has a "satisfactory" safety rating and has no record of accidents or fatalities in the past two years, having undergone 60 inspections in that time frame.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene following the crash, with personal belongings and glass scattered across the highway. “It was certainly heartbreaking to see,” said Powell Stephens, a local resident who drove by the site. He noted the emotional turmoil of those present, with people embracing and visibly distressed in the aftermath.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her condolences via social media, referring to the incident as a tragedy and offering her support to the victims’ families. She stated that her office is collaborating with local officials and police in response to the accident.
Prior to this incident, state lawmakers had enacted a law mandating seat belt usage on charter buses built after November 28, 2016, following a previous bus crash in New York in 2023. However, the age of the bus in Friday’s crash has not yet been disclosed. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash continues as authorities seek to gather further details.
