Tragic New York Tour Bus Crash Claims Life of Columbia University Student and Four Others After Niagara Falls Trip

A tragic accident occurred on August 22, 2025, when a tour bus returning from Niagara Falls overturned on Interstate 90 in upstate New York. This devastating event took the lives of five people, including a Columbia University student named Xie Hongzhuo, just 22 years old from Beijing, China.

Columbia University expressed its deep sorrow in a statement, emphasizing the impact of this loss on the campus community. They are providing counseling resources for students affected by this tragedy.

The other victims identified include:

• Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, from India
• Pinki Changrani, 60, from East Brunswick, New Jersey
• Zhang Xiaolan, 55, and
• Jian Mingli, 56, both from Jersey City, New Jersey.

The bus was operated by M&Y Tour Incorporated, based in Staten Island. According to New York State Police, the bus was heading from Niagara Falls to New York City when it lost control near Pembroke, about 40 minutes from Buffalo. The driver, Bin Shao, 55, reported being distracted and over-corrected while driving. Fortunately, there were no signs of impairment or mechanical failure.

Hospital reports indicate that 21 passengers were treated at Erie County Medical Center. Of these, seven were discharged quickly, while five remained in the trauma intensive care unit, indicating the severity of some injuries.

Emergency crews, including LifeFlight helicopters, responded swiftly to the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is now investigating the incident to uncover more details.

Traffic accidents like this serve as a stark reminder of the importance of driver attentiveness and vehicle safety. With statistics showing that nearly 38,000 people die in traffic accidents each year in the U.S. alone, initiatives to enhance road safety and educate drivers are more crucial than ever.

Such tragedies resonate on social media as well, with users expressing their condolences and sharing stories about their loved ones on similar trips. The outpouring of online grief highlights the shared human experience of loss in the wake of such accidents.

For ongoing developments, you can explore the NTSB’s investigation updates here.

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