The New York State Police have released the names of the five passengers who tragically lost their lives in a catastrophic tour bus accident that occurred on Friday afternoon. The bus, which was en route from Niagara Falls, N.Y. to New York City, crashed and flipped over on a highway just outside of Buffalo. The deceased individuals, whose ages spanned from 22 to 65, include a resident from Madhubani, India, three individuals from New Jersey, and a Chinese student attending Columbia University.
This tragic incident unfolded on the New York State Thruway, where the tour bus toppled into a ditch, ejecting numerous passengers and pinning others beneath the vehicle. According to officials, the release of the victims' names came approximately 24 hours after the deadly crash. Emergency responders transported 21 individuals to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, where 11 patients remained in stable condition as of Saturday. Among them, five were admitted to the trauma intensive care unit for further treatment.
Three additional patients were admitted for observation, while seven others were discharged from the hospital on Friday. Moreover, Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, N.Y., treated six crash victims—two of whom sustained critical injuries. As of Saturday, three patients remained stable, with one treated and discharged. Patients were also sent to Rochester Regional Health, where they received care before being released, alongside others transported to United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia, N.Y., and Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo. Unfortunately, officials at these medical facilities have not yet responded to inquiries regarding the status of the patients.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation. Preliminary findings suggest that there was no mechanical failure or driver impairment involved. According to Major Andre J. Ray of the State Police, it appears that the driver, identified as Bin Shao, 55, from Flushing, Queens, may have become distracted, leading to a loss of control over the vehicle. Notably, the bus was the only vehicle involved in the incident.
Reports indicate that many passengers were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, which may have contributed to the severity of the injuries sustained. The bus operator, M&Y Tour Inc., based in Staten Island, has a relatively favorable safety record when compared to industry standards. The U.S. Department of Transportation inspected the company’s buses 43 times over the past two years, identifying serious violations on nine occasions, resulting in a temporary removal from service—a failure rate of 21 percent, which is slightly below the industry average of 22.2 percent.
In addition to bus inspections, M&Y Tour Inc. drivers were tested 60 times during the same period. Authorities determined that on one occasion, a driver needed to be removed from service, resulting in a failure rate of 1.7 percent, significantly lower than the national average of 6.6 percent. M&Y’s safety record was rated as “satisfactory”—the highest rating—during its most recent review conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in September.
The company also maintains $5 million worth of insurance coverage for bodily injury and property damage, meeting regulatory requirements. As the investigation continues, this tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the vital importance of safety measures in the transportation industry.
