Tour Bus Overturns on New York State Thruway, Killing Five and Injuring Dozens

Pembroke, New York, August 23, 2025 - A tour bus with 54 passengers flipped over on the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) near Pembroke. This happened on Friday afternoon. Five people died, and more than 40 were injured.

Around 12:30 p.m., the bus went off the road. The driver got distracted and overcorrected. This made the bus cross the median, swerve onto the shoulder, and roll onto its side. New York State Police Major Andre Ray confirmed that the bus from M&Y Tour Inc. in Staten Island had no mechanical problems. Impairment was also ruled out. So, distraction is likely the cause of the crash.

Passengers ranged in age from one to 74 years. They came from India, China, the Philippines, and several countries in the Middle East. Many victims were thrown from the vehicle. Some were trapped under the wreckage. First responders later helped them out. Rescue teams used several air ambulances and ground units. Over 40 injured people were taken to hospitals in Buffalo and Rochester for care. At Erie County Medical Center, 24 patients were cared for due to severe trauma. They suffered from head injuries and broken bones.

Governor Kathy Hochul called the accident a “tragedy.” She offered her condolences to the victims’ families and promised state help to local authorities. The National Transportation Safety Board sent a team to look into the crash.

Key Facts

Time of crash: ~12:30 p.m. on August 22, 2025
Location: Interstate 90, near Pembroke, New York
Bus operator: M&Y Tour Inc. (Staten Island)
Passengers on board: 54 (including driver and tour company employee)
Fatalities: 5 adults
Injuries: Dozens, with more than 40 transported to hospitals
Alleged cause: Driver distraction and overcorrection
Investigation: Ongoing, with NTSB involvement