Washington DC [US], August 23: A collision between a tour bus and a semi-truck in the U.S. state of New York on Friday afternoon left multiple fatalities, police said.
The accident happened on Interstate 90 in Pembroke, Genesee County, while the bus carrying more than 50 passengers was returning to New York City from Niagara Falls.
"At this time, we have multiple fatalities, multiple entrapments and multiple injuries," said James O'Callaghan, spokesperson for the New York State Police, adding that the total number of deaths and injuries is still being determined.
One child is believed to be among the fatalities, according to police.
The full-size tour bus lost control for unknown reasons, "went into the median, overcorrected and ended up in the ditch," said O'Callaghan. "Most people I'm assuming on the bus did not have a seat belt on, that is the reason why we have so many ejected people on this bus."
A rescue operation is underway, and emergency crews are treating the injured after the tour bus crashed and rolled over, local media reported.
Mercy Flight, a nonprofit air medical transport service provider, said its three helicopters were transporting people from the crash site to area hospitals.
Due to the collision, all lanes of the highway were closed in both directions, the New York State Police said on the social media platform X.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said on X that she was briefed on the "tragic tour bus accident," adding that her team is coordinating with the State Police and local officials who are working "to rescue and provide assistance to everyone involved."
Source: Xinhua News Agency