Five people are confirmed dead and multiple people are injured after a tour bus crash in Pembroke on the I-90 according to New York State Police.
State police initially reported that one child had died in the crash, but after further investigation police found no children had died according to Major Andre Ray, Commander of New York State Police Troop T.
Three children were among the injured with one in serious condition at Oshei Children's Hospital, according to a statement from Kaleida Health.
The crash occurred around 12:40 p.m. near Exit 48A eastbound. Authorities said the tour bus hit a median and overcorrected, and ended up rolling over.
Fifty-two individuals were confirmed to be aboard the bus, with multiple entrapments and ejections occurring.
The M & Y Tour Inc. bus was carrying tourists from Niagara Falls to New York City, and individuals came from the U.S., China, India and the Philippines. Translators were brought to the site to assist in the emergency effort.
Passengers ranged in age from 1 to 74 years old, police said.
ECMC took in 24 casualties - the most of any area hospital - according to Peter Cutler, the ECMC's vice president of communications and external affairs. Cutler said 20 of those casualties were still being treated as of 4:30 p.m. ECMC physicians were sent to the crash site to help triage patients on scene.
In a statement, Kaleida Health confirmed they received a total of 20 patients to Buffalo General Medical Center (four adults; all in good condition; one already discharged), Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital received 13 patients (11 adults, two children; 10 in good condition, three in fair condition) and Oishei Children’s Hospital received three patients (three children total; two in good condition, one in serious condition).
ConnectLife is issuing an emergency appeal for blood donations following the accident and said there is an immediate, life-threatening need for blood. Individuals are asked to call 716-529-4270 or visit ConnectLifeGiveBlood.org to schedule a blood donation appointment as soon as possible.
Both sides of the I-90 near Pembroke were closed, though authorities have now reopened the westbound lane, while still recommending motorists avoid the area. Multiple Mercy Flight helicopters were confirmed to have responded to the scene.
State Police said an investigation into the crash is underway and the driver - who survived - has been cooperative.
Authorities have already ruled out mechanical failure and operational impairment as the cause according to Ray, though he said it is too early to determine if charges will be made.
The Red Cross has set up a family reunification center at Amherst Senior Center which can be contacted at (716)898-3696
I’ve been briefed on the tragic tour bus accident on the @NYSThruway.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) August 22, 2025
My team is coordinating closely with @nyspolice and local officials who are working to rescue and provide assistance to everyone involved.
I have been advised the NYS Thruway is closed westbound at Exit 48A (Pembroke) and Eastbound at Exit 49 (Depew) until further notice due to the serious mass casualty bus accident in Genesee County just over the Erie County line. Vehicles will be detoured off the Thruway at each.
— Mark Poloncarz (@markpoloncarz) August 22, 2025
This is a developing story. BTPM NPR will add more to it as more information comes in.