A tour bus carrying 54 people crashed on Interstate 90 near Pembroke, New York, killing five passengers and injuring dozens more in a tragic rollover.
Story Overview
- Five people died and dozens injured when M&Y Tour Inc. bus rolled over returning from Niagara Falls
- Driver distraction suspected as primary cause, with no evidence of impairment or mechanical failure
- NTSB dispatched investigation team to review safety protocols and potential regulatory changes
- Minimal seat belt usage contributed to passenger ejections and severity of injuries
Deadly Interstate Rollover Claims Five Lives
The M&Y Tour Inc. bus carrying 54 passengers lost control on eastbound I-90 between exits 48A and 49 near Pembroke at 12:22 p.m. on August 22, 2025. Driver Bin Shao, 55, of Flushing, New York, veered into the median before overcorrecting and rolling the vehicle onto the south embankment. Five passengers died at the scene, while dozens more sustained injuries requiring immediate medical attention. The group was returning to New York City after visiting Niagara Falls.
“An absolute tragedy took place," @nyspolice say as the NTSB joins the investigation into a bus crash that killed 5 on the NYS Thruway at Pembroke https://t.co/LdMkBAU5o8 pic.twitter.com/cIuo3R4UCf
— WBEN NewsRadio 930AM (@WBEN) August 23, 2025
Emergency Response Overwhelms Local Medical Facilities
Multiple ambulances and medical helicopters rushed victims to area hospitals, with Erie County Medical Center receiving at least eight patients by 2:10 p.m. Mercy Flight president Margaret Ferrentino described the scene as “very active” while coordinating air medical transport. The massive casualty count strained regional medical resources, requiring coordination between multiple trauma centers. First responders worked for hours to extract trapped passengers and clear the crash site.
Watch: Five Killed After NY Tour Bus Looses Control and Crashes
Investigation Points to Driver Distraction
New York State Police spokesperson Trooper James O’Callaghan confirmed investigators “have a good idea of what happened, why the bus lost control.” Preliminary findings suggest driver distraction as the primary factor, with no evidence of impairment or mechanical failure discovered. The 55-year-old driver survived the crash and is cooperating with authorities. No charges have been filed as the investigation continues under NTSB oversight.
Safety Concerns Expose Regulatory Gaps
The crash highlights critical safety deficiencies in commercial passenger transportation. Most passengers were not wearing seat belts, contributing to ejections and severe injuries during the rollover. The NTSB dispatched a Go Team to conduct a comprehensive safety review that may result in stricter enforcement of seat belt laws and enhanced driver training requirements. This incident underscores the need for stronger oversight of tour bus operators and mandatory safety protocols.
The diverse passenger manifest included international tourists from China, India, and the Philippines, complicating family notifications and victim identification. Governor Kathy Hochul coordinated with state police and local officials while the New York State Thruway Authority managed extended road closures. This tragedy exposes vulnerabilities in an industry that transports thousands of tourists daily along major interstate corridors without adequate safety enforcement.
Sources:
State Police Investigating Fatal Bus Crash Genesee County – NY State Police
New York Thruway Tour Bus Crash – ABC News
