Police have identified the five people who tragically lost their lives in a bus accident in western New York. The victims include Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, from India; Pinki Changrani, 60, from New Jersey; 22-year-old Columbia University student Xie Hongzhuo from China; and two residents from Jersey City, Zhang Xiaolan, 55, and Jian Mingli, 56.
Columbia University expressed its sorrow over the loss of Xie, stating, “We are devastated.” They emphasized their support for her family and friends, mentioning available counseling services for students affected by the tragedy.
The bus was returning from Niagara Falls, heading towards New York City when it lost control and overturned around 12:45 PM. It was carrying 54 people, including the driver and a tour guide. Some passengers were ejected from the bus or trapped underneath.
Out of the passengers, 21 required hospitalization, with 14 remaining in stable condition by Saturday afternoon. The Erie County Medical Center confirmed this.
Investigators believe the driver, Bin Shao, 55, got distracted and overcorrected, leading to the crash. They noted that he showed no signs of impairment and that the bus had no mechanical failures. At the time of the accident, the bus was likely traveling at full speed, though no specific speed has been disclosed.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation. They are examining the crash site, the bus’s mechanical condition, and factors such as driver fatigue and qualifications. They also urged witnesses or anyone with footage of the incident to come forward.
This incident highlights the importance of road safety, especially for tour buses that carry many passengers. Statistics show that bus accidents are less common than car accidents, but they can be particularly dangerous due to the number of people involved. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were over 4,800 bus accidents in 2020, leading to more than 250 fatalities.
As of now, the tour company, M&Y Tour Inc., has not commented on the accident. The community is left mourning the loss of those involved, a reminder of how quickly life can change.
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