A tour bus heading for the Big Apple rolled over into a ditch along a highway in upstate New York, killing five passengers, one of whom was possibly a child, and injuring dozens more Friday afternoon, authorities said.

The bus carrying 51 riders lost control on eastbound Interstate 90 in the town of Pembroke at around 12:30 p.m., sparking a furious rescue effort as many as 24 victims were left trapped in the wreckage.

A crash on Friday involving a tour bus on I-90 in upstate New York has killed and injured multiple people. WBEN

“For unknown reasons, the vehicle lost control, went into the median, over corrected and ended up in the ditch,” New York State Trooper James O’Callaghan said at the scene.

A completely full tour bus returning from Niagara Falls to New York City swerved and overturned on the NY State Thruway I-90 highway this afternoon, near exit 48A in Pembroke. Viktoria Hallikäär/Spectrum News Buffalo

He said there were multiple fatalities, entrapments and injuries, as the death toll rose to five Friday night.

The identities of the victims have not yet been released.

Authorities believe at least one child was killed, O’Callaghan said.

As many as six medevac helicopter flights from the crash site to Buffalo-area hospitals were conducted by The Mercy Flight medical transport service and three other medical transport services.

Erie County Medical Center staff said during a briefing it has treated for 24 patients, taking in most of the victims requiring medical attention from the crash.

Two people who required surgeries were expected to recover, Dr. Jeffrey Brewer, chief of surgery at Erie County Medical Center said.

Kaleida Health said its staff has treated 20 patients across three hospitals, including five children, according to WKBW.

Some passengers were ejected through the windows of the bus as it careened into the ditch while going eastbound on the interstate.

Injuries ranged from broken limbs to extreme head trauma, according to officials.

Rescue personnel work the scene of a tour bus that crashed and rolled over on the New York State Thruway near Pembroke, N.Y., Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. AP

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“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,” O’Callaghan said.

The driver survived the crash and was speaking with authorities about what might have caused the bus to lose control, O’Callaghan said.

Several medical choppers were used to airlift patients to hospitals. AP

Several medical choppers were used to airlift patients to hospitals.

O’Callaghan said most of the people on the bus were of Indian, Chinese and Filipino ethnicity.

A driver who passed the ugly scene described glass and people’s stuff strewn across the road.

The bus was returning to New York City from Niagara Falls when it crashed. AP

“Windows were all shattered,” Medina resident Powell Stephens, told The Buffalo News.

A stretch of the interstate was shut down and vehicles and trucks are being turned around to clear the scene, O’Callaghan said.

“The @nyspolice have confirmed that among those injured in today’s bus accident in Western New York, five lives were tragically lost,” Governor Hochul wrote on X Friday night.

“Our hearts are with their loved ones during this difficult time.”

— Additional reporting by Vaughn Golden

With Post wires