On a bright Friday afternoon, August 22, 2025, a tour bus returning from Niagara Falls to New York City overturned on Interstate 90 near Pembroke, New York, marking one of the deadliest traffic incidents in the region in recent years. The crash, which occurred just before Exit 48A and about 40 minutes from Buffalo, claimed five lives and left dozens more injured, shaking communities across the globe and prompting a major investigation by federal and state authorities.
According to New York State Police, the bus, operated by M&Y Tour Inc. of Staten Island, was carrying 54 people, including the driver and a tour guide. The passengers ranged in age from just 1 year old to 74, reflecting a diverse group drawn from the Indian, Chinese, and Filipino communities. The journey, intended as a scenic tour, ended in tragedy when the vehicle lost control, veered into the median, overcorrected, and rolled over onto the southern shoulder of the highway.
Authorities quickly identified the five victims: Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, of Madhu Bani, India; Pinki Changrani, 60, of East Brunswick, New Jersey; Xie Hongzhuo, 22, a Columbia University student from Beijing, China; Zhang Xiaolan, 55, of Jersey City, New Jersey; and Jian Mingli, 56, also of Jersey City, New Jersey. The loss was felt keenly both in the U.S. and abroad, as families, friends, and institutions mourned those who perished.
Columbia University, devastated by the loss of Xie Hongzhuo, released a heartfelt statement: "We are devastated by the death of one of our students, Xie Hongzhuo, in the tragic bus accident near Buffalo on Friday. This heartbreaking loss is felt deeply across our community. 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." (Fox News Digital, NBC News)
The crash scene was chaotic, with first responders from multiple agencies—including New York State Police, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, Erie County Emergency Management, and local fire and EMS crews—rushing to rescue victims. Trooper James O’Callaghan, spokesperson for the New York State Police, described the aftermath: "It's a full-size tour bus. Heavy amount of damage. 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." (Newsweek)
Emergency personnel, including medical helicopters, worked tirelessly to transport injured passengers to area hospitals. Erie County Medical Center received 21 patients, with seven discharged by Saturday, three pending discharge, six admitted in stable condition, and five remaining in the trauma intensive care unit. United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia and University of Rochester Medical Center also treated several patients, while Oishei Children’s Hospital cared for at least one child. Fortunately, despite the severity of the crash, no additional fatalities were reported, and most patients were expected to recover.
As investigators combed through the wreckage, questions quickly turned to the cause of the accident. The bus driver, Bin Shao, 55, of Flushing, New York, survived the crash and was found to have no signs of impairment. The bus itself showed no evidence of mechanical failure. According to police and news releases, Shao reported being distracted at the time of the crash and admitted to overcorrecting, which led to the vehicle rolling over at full speed. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) dispatched a go-team to the site to conduct a thorough investigation, examining not only the crash scene and vehicle but also the driver’s qualifications, fatigue, and distraction, as well as the highway’s design.
In a statement, State Trooper James O’Callaghan said, "We're working with [the driver]. We believe we have a good idea of what happened, why the bus lost control." So far, no criminal charges have been filed, but the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have asked anyone who witnessed the crash or has dash cam footage to come forward, hoping to piece together the full sequence of events.
Governor Kathy Hochul addressed the tragedy on social media, stating, "The @nyspolice have confirmed that among those injured in today's bus accident in Western New York, five lives were tragically lost. Our hearts are with their loved ones during this difficult time." Representative Elise Stefanik also weighed in, urging prayers for the victims and gratitude for first responders.
The crash has also cast a spotlight on the safety record of M&Y Tour Inc. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the company employs 20 drivers and had reported no crashes in the past two years. However, out of 43 vehicle inspections over the past 24 months, nine resulted in vehicles being taken out of service, though the company retained an overall "satisfactory" safety rating. The bus involved was taken to state police barracks as evidence for further inspection by the NTSB and state authorities.
In the aftermath, the New York State Thruway was closed in both directions between exits 48A and 49, causing significant travel disruptions. Westbound lanes reopened by Friday evening, but eastbound lanes remained closed as investigators and cleanup crews worked the scene. Police warned of heavy delays and urged travelers to seek alternate routes.
The incident has reignited discussions about tour bus safety, seat belt usage, and the responsibilities of operators and drivers. With most passengers reportedly not wearing seat belts, the risk of ejection and serious injury was significantly higher. The NTSB’s investigation is expected to examine whether additional safety measures, including the enforcement of seat belt use on tour buses, could help prevent future tragedies.
For the families and communities affected, the road to healing will be long. Columbia University and other organizations have mobilized counseling and support services, and the broader public has responded with an outpouring of sympathy and solidarity. As the investigation continues, many hope that lessons learned from this heartbreaking event will lead to safer journeys for all in the future.