On Friday, a devastating tour bus crash in western New York resulted in the loss of five lives, as identified by the New York State Police. The victims were Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, from Madhu Bani, India; Pinki Changrani, 60, from East Brunswick, New Jersey; Xie Hongzhuo, 22, a student at Columbia University from Beijing, China; Zhang Xiaolan, 55, from Jersey City, New Jersey; and Jian Mingli, 56, also from Jersey City. This tragic incident has left families and communities in mourning.
In a heartfelt statement released on Saturday, Columbia University expressed its sorrow over the death of Xie Hongzhuo. The university stated, “We are devastated by the death of one of our students, Xie Hongzhuo, in the tragic bus accident near Buffalo.” They further emphasized that this "heartbreaking loss is felt deeply across our community" and have extended their support to Xie’s family during this difficult time. In addition, the university has made counseling services available to students affected by this tragedy.
The tour bus, carrying a total of 54 individuals—including the driver and a tour guide—was en route from Niagara Falls to New York City when it lost control. The accident occurred around 12:45 p.m. on an interstate parkway near Buffalo, resulting in the bus overturning on its side. Eyewitness accounts reported that some passengers were ejected from the bus, while others became trapped underneath it, prompting a swift emergency response.
As a result of the crash, numerous passengers sustained injuries, leading to their hospitalization. Erie County Medical Center reported that 21 individuals were admitted for treatment, with 14 patients remaining in stable condition as of Saturday afternoon. Among those injured were several children, highlighting the serious nature of the incident.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, with authorities confirming that no other vehicles were involved. Preliminary findings suggest that the driver, Bin Shao, 55, of Flushing, New York, may have become distracted, which led to a loss of control and an overcorrection of the vehicle. Notably, Shao showed no signs of impairment, and the tour bus did not exhibit any mechanical failures prior to the accident. Despite the bus allegedly traveling at "full speed" at the time of the crash, specific speed details have not been disclosed. The speed limit on I-90 is set at 65 mph.
As part of the ongoing investigation, a team from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been dispatched to the crash site. Their investigation will encompass various factors, including the mechanical condition of the bus, highway design, and the driver's qualifications, including potential fatigue and distraction. During a press conference on Saturday, the NTSB appealed to witnesses and anyone with video footage of the incident to come forward and assist in the investigation.
The tour company operating the vehicle, M&Y Tour Inc. based in Staten Island, has not responded to requests for comment regarding the tragic accident. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on understanding the circumstances that led to this tragic event, which has impacted so many lives.
