Tragedy on the Thruway: Fatal Tour Bus Rollover Claims Lives, Injures Dozens on New York Interstate

A serene Saturday morning journey across the New York Thruway turned into a scene of unimaginable horror when a tour bus carrying dozens of passengers, predominantly from Canada, suffered a catastrophic rollover crash. The devastating incident near Weedsport in Cayuga County, on the westbound lanes of Interstate 90, claimed the lives of three individuals and left 57 others with injuries, plunging families and communities into grief and shock.

The bus, operated by the Canadian company US Limo, had departed from the Greater Toronto Area, embarking on what was meant to be a leisurely trip to Niagara Falls, New York.

Instead, at approximately 12:40 p.m. ET, its journey abruptly ended in a twisted wreck, scattering debris and shattered lives across the highway. Emergency responders swarmed the scene, facing a grim tableau of a severely damaged bus and numerous casualties, necessitating a multi-agency response including multiple ambulances and air support to transport the injured to various regional hospitals.

New York State Police confirmed the fatalities, identifying the deceased as three adults.

Among the victims were a student and a faculty member from Collège Durocher Saint-Lambert, a private school located in the Montreal area, amplifying the tragedy’s impact on a specific community. The news sent ripples of sorrow through Canada, as the bus was carrying a significant number of Canadian citizens, many of whom were reportedly on a school-organized trip.

The immediate aftermath saw the westbound lanes of I-90 completely shut down for an extended period, allowing investigators to begin their meticulous work and emergency crews to clear the extensive wreckage.

Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the precise cause of the rollover. Both the New York State Police and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are meticulously piecing together evidence, examining everything from driver fatigue and mechanical failure to road conditions, in their quest for answers.

As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on supporting the victims and their families.

The Canadian Consulate General in New York quickly became involved, providing assistance to the Canadian citizens affected by the crash. This horrific event serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks of travel, leaving an indelible mark on all those touched by the tragedy and prompting a renewed examination of safety protocols for commercial passenger transport.