State Police Release Names of Five Victims in Tour Bus Crash that Departed Niagara Falls

UPDATE

New York State Police have identified the five passengers who died in Friday’s rollover bus crash on the Thruway in Pembroke, which also left 49 others injured.

The victims were traveling eastbound on I-90 when the bus lost control, veered into the median, overcorrected, and ultimately crashed into a ditch along the south side of the highway around 12:22pm Friday. Those killed were identified as:

Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, of Madhu Bani, India

Pinki Changrani, 60, of East Brunswick, New Jersey

Xie Hongzhuo, 22, of Beijing, China, a Columbia University student

Zhang Xiaolan, 55, of Jersey City, New Jersey

Jian Mingli, 56, of Jersey City, New Jersey

State Police confirmed in a Saturday afternoon news release that all five passengers died at the scene. The bus had 54 people on board, and the remaining 49 were taken to nearby hospitals following the crash.

James O’Callaghan, spokesperson for the State Police, told reporters Friday that nearly every passenger suffered some form of injury, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to more serious trauma. Victims were transported to hospitals in both Buffalo and Rochester.

17 Tour Bus Crash Victims Still Hospitalized After Leaving Niagara Falls

Seventeen passengers injured in Friday’s fatal tour bus crash on the New York State Thruway remained hospitalized as of Sunday, officials confirmed.

Peter Cutler, a spokesman for Erie County Medical Center, said the hospital was treating 11 of the injured passengers. One patient was expected to be discharged on Sunday. Three others continued to receive care in the trauma intensive care unit while two had been moved to a medical surgical unit.

At the University of Rochester Medical Center, five patients remained hospitalized. Lori Barrette, a spokesperson for the medical center, explained that six passengers were initially admitted following the crash. One was discharged Saturday, one remains in critical condition, and four others were stable.

The crash, which killed five passengers Friday afternoon, occurred when a bus operated by M&Y Tour of Staten Island veered out of control while traveling eastbound on the Thruway just before exit 48A in Pembroke, New York. The vehicle had been carrying 54 passengers returning to New York City after visiting Niagara Falls.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed investigators would remain on site for several days. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, though the agency cautioned the final investigation could take 12 to 24 months. Neither the NTSB nor New York State Police planned to release additional updates on Sunday.

Authorities have said the driver, 55-year-old Bin Shao of Flushing, became “distracted” prior to the crash, though details about what caused the distraction have not been released.

An American Red Cross representative confirmed the company is covering lodging costs for affected passengers in addition to providing meals, snacks, and emotional support.

At a press briefing in Cheektowaga on Saturday, NTSB board member Tom Chapman emphasized the importance of the investigation.

“Our mission is to understand not just what happened but why it happened and to recommend changes to prevent it from happening again.”

Among the five fatalities was 22-year-old Columbia University student Xie Hongzhuo. The university issued a statement expressing grief over the loss.

“This heartbreaking loss is felt deeply across our community,” the statement read. “We are in close contact with her family and offering them our full support. Columbia is also providing counseling and other resources to students who may need them during this painful time. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family, friends, and all who have been touched by this tragedy.”

FIVE CONFIRMED DEAD

A tour bus carrying 54 people back to New York City from Niagara Falls overturned Friday on the New York State Thruway, leaving five passengers dead and dozens more injured, according to state police.

The accident occurred near Pembroke, about 25 miles east of Buffalo, when the bus lost control and rolled over, ejecting several riders as the windows shattered.

“At this time we have multiple fatalities, multiple entrapments and multiple injuries,” said Trooper James O’Callaghan, spokesperson for the New York State Police. He confirmed that children were among those on board.

O’Callaghan said the bus veered into the median before coming to rest in a ditch. Many of the passengers were of Indian, Chinese, and Filipino descent, he noted.

“The driver is alive and well. We’re working with him. We believe we have a good idea of what happened, why the bus lost control,” O’Callaghan added, though he did not provide further details.

Emergency crews, including Mercy Flight helicopters and aircraft from other agencies, transported critically injured passengers to regional hospitals. Medical centers reported treating or evaluating more than 40 people with injuries ranging from broken bones to head trauma.

At Erie County Medical Center, Dr. Jeffrey Brewer, chief of surgery, said two patients who required surgery were expected to recover.

“It’s a full-size tour bus. Heavy amount of damage,” O’Callaghan said. “Most people I’m assuming on the bus did not have a seat belt on, that is the reason why we have so many ejected people on this bus.”

Following a deadly bus crash in 2023, New York passed a law requiring seat belt use on charter buses manufactured after November 28th, 2016. Authorities have not yet said when this bus was built.

“There was glass all over the road and people’s stuff all over the road,” Powell Stephens of Medina told The Buffalo News after driving past the wreckage. “Windows were all shattered.”

Governor Kathy Hochul posted on X that she had been briefed on the “tragic tour bus accident” and said her office was coordinating with state police and local officials.

ORIGINAL STORY

A catastrophic tour bus accident on the New York State Thruway has resulted in several deaths and serious injuries, according to New York State Police. The crash happened Friday along I-90 in the Pembroke area shutting down traffic in both directions between exits 49 (Depew) and 48A (Pembroke).

Authorities confirmed that the bus was carrying approximately 50 passengers, many of whom were of Chinese, Filipino, and Indian descent. The group had been returning to New York City after visiting Niagara Falls.

Trooper James O’Callaghan said early reports suggest the bus veered out of control and overturned, but investigators will review dash cam recordings to determine the precise cause. He added that the driver survived and is in stable condition.

Police stated there are “multiple fatalities” and several individuals still trapped inside the wreckage, including at least one child believed to be among the deceased. Emergency crews are transporting victims to Erie County Medical Center and Strong Memorial Hospital, with helicopters staged nearby to assist in urgent rescues.

Interpreters are also on scene to help communicate with the surviving passengers.

According to police audio, all Mercy Flight helicopters were requested to respond.

The New York State Thruway Authority has advised motorists to avoid the area and seek alternate routes due to significant delays.

Governor Kathy Hochul posted on social media that she has been updated on the disaster:

“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.”

We will provide updates as they become available.

State Police Release Names of Five Victims in Tour Bus Crash that Departed Niagara Falls