At least 5 people killed after bus traveling back from Niagara Falls crashes: Police

A tour bus returning from a trip to Niagara Falls overturned in upstate New York on Friday, killing five people and injuring dozens of others, some of whom became trapped or ejected, police said.

The deadly crash occurred on Interstate 90 in Pembroke, near Buffalo, according to New York State Police.

The bus was traveling eastbound when the "vehicle lost control, went into the median, over-corrected, and ended up in the ditch," New York State Police Trooper James O'Callaghan said during a press briefing.

WKBW - PHOTO: A bus crashed on I90 near Pembroke, NY, on Aug. 22, 2025.

Multiple people were ejected or thrown around the bus when it overturned, according to New York State Police Troop T Commander Maj. Andre Ray.

Five adults were found deceased at the scene, he said.

Nearly everyone else suffered injuries including cuts, bruises and abrasions, according to O'Callaghan.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation, though "it's believed the operator became distracted, lost control, over-corrected and ended up on the right shoulder there," Ray said during a press briefing Friday evening.

Mechanical failure and operator impairment have been ruled out, and no charges have been filed at this time, he said.

In a statement Friday evening, the National Transportation Safety Board said it was sending a "go-team" to investigate the deadly crash.

Mike Flaig - PHOTO: A bus crashed on I90 near Pembroke, NY, on Aug. 22, 2025.

WHAM - PHOTO: A bus crashed on I90 near Pembroke, NY, on Aug. 22, 2025.

A child was initially believed to have been among the fatalities, but that was later determined to be false, Ray said.

Police initially said the collision also involved a semi-truck, though later said the bus was the only vehicle involved.

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The bus was traveling back to New York City after visiting Niagara Falls, with 54 people on board, including two bus company employees, police said. The passengers ranged in age from 1 to 74, police said. Most of the passengers were Indian, Chinese or Filipino, according to O'Callaghan.

The driver survived and "has been cooperative," Ray said. The bus was operated by M & Y Tour, Inc. which is based in Staten Island, New York, he said.

Images from the scene showed the bus on its side in a ditch and a large emergency response, including multiple medical helicopters.

Two dozen patients were transferred to Erie County Medical Center, with head injuries, extremity fractures and other injuries, doctors with the hospital said. All are expected to recover, they said.

Kaleida Health, which operates multiple hospitals in the area, said it received 20 patients total, including five children. One of the children remains in serious condition, it said.

The University of Rochester Medical Center said two of the patients it received from the crash are being treated for critical injuries.

Gail Potter - PHOTO: A bus crashed on I90 near Pembroke, NY, on Aug. 22, 2025.

Gail Potter - PHOTO: A bus crashed on I90 near Pembroke, NY, on Aug. 22, 2025.

Amid the rescue operation following the crash, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she was briefed on the "tragic tour bus accident."

"My team is coordinating closely with @nyspolice and local officials who are working to rescue and provide assistance to everyone involved," she said in a statement on X earlier Friday.

All lanes on the thruway at Pembroke were closed in the wake of the crash, which occurred eastbound on I-90. The westbound lanes have since reopened.

"Expect heavy delays and alternate routes of travel," New York State Police said.

NYS Thruway Authority - PHOTO: The view of I-90 at Interchange 48A in Pembroke folllowing a crash on Aug. 22, 2025.