A STUDENT is among the victims of the tragic Niagara Falls tour bus crash which killed five people and injured 17 others.
Passengers on board were thrown out of the windows after the bus crashed and rolled on Interstate 90 near Pembroke, western New York.
The ill-fated bus was en route from Niagara Falls to New York City when the driver reportedly became distracted, resulting in a loss of control and causing the bus to overturn.
People inside the vehicle were thrown out of the windows as the glass shattered.
Dozens were taken to the hospital in the aftermath.
In an update on Saturday, New York State Police named the five victims who lost their lives in the tragic crash.
The youngest victim has been identified as Xie Hongzhuo, a 22-year-old student at Columbia University, from Beijing, China.
Columbia University said in a statement that the faculty was “devastated”.
It added: “This heartbreaking loss is felt deeply across our community.
“We are in close contact with her family and offering them our full support.
Erie County Medical Centre, where 21 passengers were hospitalised for injuries, said 14 patients are in stable condition but remain at the hospital.
Most of the passengers are reported to have been of Indian, Chinese and Filipino ethnicity – and ranged in age between one and 74.
The driver reportedly survived the crash, and is co-operating with police.
The president of Mercy Flight, a vital air transport service for medical emergencies, stated that helicopters were conducting multiple trips to the accident scene.
Social media photos showed emergency vehicles crowded on the entire interstate near the wrecked bus.
People inside the vehicle were thrown out of the windows as the glass shattered.
All five victims named
- Xie Hongzhuo, a 22-year-old student at Columbia University, from Beijing, China.
- Zhang Xiaolan, 55 of Jersey City, New Jersey
- Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, of Madhu Bani, India
- Pinki Changrani, 60, of East Brunswick, New Jersey
- Jian Mingli, 56, of Jersey City
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said: “I’ve been briefed on the tragic tour bus accident on the @NYSThruway.
“My team is coordinating closely with @nyspolice and local officials who are working to rescue and provide assistance to everyone involved.”
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz called the crash a “serious mass casualty bus accident” in an X post.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James called the crash “heartbreaking.”
“I’m praying for everyone impacted. Grateful to our first responders on the scene working to rescue and help people.”
A preliminary investigation has ruled out mechanical failure or driver impairment.
