By Emeka Blast 
Highway Tragedy: Bus Carrying 54 Passengers Crashes in Upstate New York, Indians Among Victims
A devastating tour bus crash on Interstate 90 near Pembroke, New York, claimed the lives of five passengers and injured dozens more on Friday, August 22, 2025, leaving the nation in mourning. The bus, carrying 54 passengers—including Indian, Chinese, and Filipino nationals—was returning to New York City from Niagara Falls when it overturned in a ditch, marking one of the deadliest accidents in the region’s recent history. The Indian High Commission in New York confirmed that Indian nationals were among the deceased, sparking grief and outrage across communities.
The accident occurred around 12:30 p.m. on the eastbound lane of the New York State Thruway, approximately 25 miles east of Buffalo. According to New York State Police, the bus, operated by M&Y Tour Inc. of Staten Island, lost control, veered into the median, overcorrected, and rolled into a ditch on the south embankment. “The driver became distracted, lost control, and overcorrected, causing the vehicle to flip,” said Major Andre J. Ray at a press conference, per The New York Times. Initial reports of a child among the fatalities were later clarified, confirming all five deceased were adults, though their identities remain undisclosed.
Most passengers were foreign nationals, primarily from India, China, and the Philippines, with ages ranging from 1 to 74, per Trooper James O’Callaghan. The crash ejected multiple passengers, with others trapped in the wreckage, requiring extensive rescue efforts involving over three dozen emergency vehicles, including six helicopters from Mercy Flight and other services. @nytimes tweeted, “Five killed in tour bus crash near Buffalo, including Indian nationals. #NYBusCrash,” while @AdityaRajKaul posted, “Heartbreaking: Indians among dead in NY tour bus crash. #PembrokeTragedy.”
Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) in Buffalo treated 24 patients, with injuries ranging from head trauma to broken limbs, per CBS News. Dr. Samuel Cloud, ECMC’s chief medical officer, called it “the most trauma patients from one incident in my career here in Buffalo.” Two patients underwent surgery and are expected to recover, while six others, including a child, were treated at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Translators speaking Mandarin, Cantonese, and Arabic assisted at the scene and hospitals due to the passengers’ diverse backgrounds.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) dispatched a team to investigate, with mechanical failure and driver impairment ruled out, per AP News. The driver, who survived and is cooperating, faces no charges as of now, though the cause of the distraction remains under scrutiny. New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed condolences, stating on X, “My team is coordinating with @nyspolice to assist survivors. #PembrokeCrash.” The Philippine Consulate General in New York is monitoring the situation, offering support via its hotline (917-294-0196), per IBTimes UK.
Social media reflected global sorrow, with @NaijaGist tweeting, “Tragic loss in NY bus crash. Indians, Chinese, Filipinos among victims. #RestInPeace,” and @EagleEyeNG posting, “Heartbreaking for the Indian community. Nigeria stands with you. #NYCrash.” Critics, like @TruthSeekerNG, questioned safety standards, tweeting, “Why were most passengers not wearing seatbelts? Bus companies must do better.”
The Indian High Commission is working with local authorities to support affected families, while Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry expressed solidarity, per The PUNCH. The crash has renewed calls for stricter tour bus regulations, with The Guardian noting that many passengers were not wearing seatbelts, exacerbating injuries.
