College Student, Tourist from India Among Victims of N.Y. Tour Bus Crash
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State troopers out of Buffalo first responded to the rollover collision on New York’s Interstate 90 in the town of Pembroke on Aug. 22. The tour bus, owned by a company based in Staten Island, was traveling eastbound on the highway when the driver exited the roadway into the median and then abruptly corrected, causing the bus to overturn and roll off the I-90 on the south embankment, according to the police.
The five people killed in the tragic accident have been identified as Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, from Madhu Bani, India; Columbia University student Xie Hongzhuo, 22, from Beijing, China; Pinki Changrani, 60, from East Brunswick, N.J.; Zhang Xiaolan, 55, and Jian Mingli, 56, both from Jersey City, N.J. The bus driver, Bin Shao, 55, from Flushing, N.Y., showed no signs of impairment, as per the police report.
Witnesses reported seeing the bus lose control, veer into the median, cross to the southern shoulder, and ultimately overturn. Several passengers were ejected from the bus, leading to multiple injuries and five fatalities at the scene. The injured were promptly taken to various medical facilities for treatment, with Mercy Flight and numerous EMS and first responders aiding in the rescue efforts.
The bus was carrying a total of 54 passengers, ranging in age from 1 to 74 years old. Despite the severity of the accident, New York State Police Major Andre Ray confirmed that no children had lost their lives in the crash, contrary to initial reports. Those injured in the incident were swiftly transported to different hospitals for medical attention, with multiple individuals having already been released post-treatment.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration disclosed that M&Y Tour, the operator of the ill-fated bus, maintained a “satisfactory” safety rating with no record of accidents or fatalities over the preceding two years. However, it was revealed that the company’s vehicles had failed nine out of 43 inspections within the same timeframe.
As the investigation remains ongoing, authorities are urging any individuals who witnessed the crash or possess dash cam footage to contact the State Police at (585) 344-6200. Eyewitnesses described the scene as harrowing, with Powell Stephens from WHAM-TV highlighting the emotional turmoil observed as people consoled each other in the aftermath of the tragedy.
In conclusion, the repercussions of the N.Y. tour bus crash have reverberated across communities and nations, claiming the lives of individuals from diverse backgrounds. The road to recovery for the survivors, both physically and emotionally, will be arduous, and the quest for answers regarding the cause of the accident continues to unfold.