On a sunny Friday afternoon, what began as a routine journey from Niagara Falls to New York City turned into a nightmare for 54 passengers aboard a tour bus operated by M&Y Tour Inc. The bus, traveling eastbound on the New York State Thruway near Pembroke—about 30 miles east of Buffalo—lost control, veered into the median, over-corrected, and ultimately rolled over onto a grassy embankment. The harrowing accident, which unfolded around 12:30 p.m. on August 22, 2025, left five people dead and dozens injured, sending shockwaves throughout the region and raising fresh questions about charter bus safety.
According to New York State Police, the bus was carrying tourists and travelers from diverse backgrounds, including many of Indian, Chinese, and Filipino descent. The trip, intended as a scenic return from one of the country’s most iconic landmarks, quickly descended into chaos. Trooper James O’Callaghan told reporters, “For unknown reasons, the vehicle lost control, went into the median, over-corrected and ended up in the ditch.” Crucially, authorities noted that the bus, which was traveling at full speed, did not collide with any other vehicle.
Among the 54 people on board were two employees of M&Y Tour Inc. The driver, identified as Bin Shao, 55, of Flushing, Queens, survived the crash and has been fully cooperative with investigators. Both mechanical failure and operator impairment were ruled out early in the investigation, with Major Andre J. Ray of the State Police stating that distraction was the likely cause. “Investigators believe the driver became distracted and lost control of the vehicle,” Major Ray explained during a news conference. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a comprehensive investigation, with Thomas B. Chapman of the NTSB confirming that the bus’s event data recorder will be analyzed to determine the vehicle’s speed and other critical factors at the time of the crash. “It’s too early to rule out any possible causes,” Chapman said, adding that a preliminary report would be published within 30 days.
The human toll of the accident was immediately evident. Five passengers lost their lives: Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, of Madhubani, India; Pinki Changrani, 60, of East Brunswick, New Jersey; Zhang Xiaolan, 55, and Jian Mingli, 56, both of Jersey City, New Jersey; and Xie Hongzhuo, a 22-year-old Columbia University student from Beijing. The tragedy struck not just individuals but entire families and communities, both in the United States and abroad.
Survivors recounted scenes of horror and resilience. Richard Robles, a 38-year-old Filipino living in Qatar, described the moments after the crash: “My mind-set was to get off the bus. There was so much blood. So much wounds.” Robles, who escaped with minor injuries, was among those who managed to climb out of the wreckage and help others. For some, the ordeal was even more harrowing. A graduate student from New York City, who asked to be identified only as Aria, found herself trapped under the bus for nearly an hour. “I was totally buried under the whole car,” she recalled. “They had so many people, volunteers and 911 police—together they helped to dig me out.” Despite her calm during the crisis, the emotional weight of the experience lingered: “When I was buried, I think I was very calm because I wanted to rescue myself. That was my priority at that time.”
Medical response was swift and extensive. Erie County Medical Center, a level 1 adult trauma center in Buffalo, received 21 patients from the crash. According to hospital officials, six were admitted in stable condition and five more were in the trauma intensive care unit, also in stable condition. Three patients were kept under observation, with two scheduled for discharge the following day. United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia treated and released two patients, while the University of Rochester Medical Center received six crash victims—two in critical condition and four stable, including one pediatric patient. Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo treated three children, one of whom remained in serious condition. Buffalo General Medical Center and Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital handled additional adult and pediatric cases, with all patients discharged by Saturday evening. Mercy Flight, a nonprofit air medical service, airlifted several seriously injured passengers to hospitals in the region.
With the New York State Thruway closed between exits 48A and 49, local traffic was diverted, and authorities urged drivers to avoid the area. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz posted on social media, “Please avoid all local roads near the scene as traffic is being diverted off of the Thruway (Interstate 90) in both directions.” Governor Kathy Hochul was quickly briefed on the unfolding situation and coordinated with state police and local officials to provide assistance. “My team is coordinating closely with @nyspolice and local officials who are working to rescue and provide assistance to everyone involved,” Hochul wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The bus company at the center of the tragedy, M&Y Tour Inc., based on Staten Island, has a safety record that is marginally better than the industry average. According to the U.S. Transportation Department, in the two years before the crash, M&Y’s buses were inspected 43 times, with a 21 percent failure rate—slightly better than the national average of 22.2 percent. Driver inspections revealed a 1.7 percent failure rate, compared to a 6.6 percent national average. Despite these statistics, the company now finds itself under intense scrutiny as investigators seek to understand if any systemic issues contributed to the accident.
One aspect drawing renewed attention is seatbelt use on charter buses. The bus involved in the crash was equipped with seatbelts, but according to State Police, many passengers likely were not wearing them. New York state law requires all charter bus passengers over the age of eight to wear seatbelts, with a $50 fine for violations. However, drivers are not required to notify passengers of this rule or enforce compliance. Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, voiced frustration at the recurring cycle of debate following major bus accidents: “It’s like ‘Groundhog Day.’ Seatbelts are the first line of defense. Every passenger needs to buckle up on every ride, in every vehicle.”
In the aftermath, survivors gathered at the Amherst Marriott hotel, sharing stories and supporting one another as they planned their return to New York City—by train or airplane, this time. The crash has left a mark not only on those directly involved but also on the broader conversation about passenger safety, emergency response, and the responsibilities of bus operators. As the investigation continues and families mourn their losses, the hope is that lessons learned from this tragedy will help prevent future heartbreak on America’s highways.
