Executive summary: A tragic tour bus accident in upstate New York has resulted in five fatalities and numerous injuries after the vehicle rolled over on Interstate 90, leading to a large-scale emergency response and an ongoing investigation.
On Friday, August 22, 2025, a tour bus operated by M&Y Tour Inc. was returning from Niagara Falls to New York City with 54 people aboard, including 51 passengers and three crew members. The bus was traveling eastbound on I-90 near Pembroke, approximately 30 miles east of Buffalo, when it apparently lost control, veered into the median, and rolled over multiple times before coming to rest in a ditch.
The crash caused windows to shatter, ejecting several passengers from the vehicle. New York State Police spokesperson Trooper James O’Callaghan confirmed five deaths and dozens of injuries, with all occupants sustaining some form of harm. Passengers ranged in age from 1 to 74 years, and while children were on board, none of the fatalities were minors. The group included individuals of Indian, Chinese, and Filipino descent.
The immediate impact included the closure of the New York State Thruway in both directions between exits 48A and 49, disrupting traffic for hours. Emergency services, including state police, fire departments, and medical teams, responded quickly, with Mercy Flight airlifting critically injured patients to hospitals. The rescue operation involved extricating trapped passengers and providing on-site medical care.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified and is sending a team to investigate the cause of the crash. Possible factors under consideration include driver error, mechanical failure, or road conditions. The driver is cooperating with authorities, and the bus company is assisting in the inquiry.
This incident highlights concerns about tour bus safety and may prompt reviews of regulatory standards. The investigation is expected to take several months, with updates on findings and the condition of the injured to be released periodically. The tragedy has drawn attention to the need for enhanced safety measures in the transportation industry.