NTSB still investigating cause of Pembroke bus crash

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Tuesday released a preliminary report on last month’s fatal bus crash on I-90 near Pembroke that killed five people and injured many others, but the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

According to the report, the motorcoach bus, which contained the driver and 53 passengers headed from Niagara Falls to New York City, crashed at 12:20 p.m.

The bus, operated by M&Y Tours, departed the travel lanes onto the right shoulder, continued across both eastbound travel lanes, entered the center median, reentered the eastbound travel lanes, moved counterclockwise and rolled onto its side, the report said.

It then stopped with the front part of the bus on the shoulder and edge of the eastbound lane.

Along with those who were killed, the driver and 48 passengers sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious, according to the NTSB. The five victims were identified by state police as Xie Hongzhuo, 22, of Beijing, China, Zhang Xiaolan, 55, of Jersey City, N.J., Jian Mingli, 56, also of Jersey City, Pinki Changrani, 60, of East Brunswick, N.J., and Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, of Madhu Bani, India.

ECMC had declared the crash a mass casualty. Numerous emergency crews from surrounding municipalities arrived on the scene, including local physicians and Mercy Flight.

New York State Troop Commander Andre Ray previously said that it is believed the driver of the bus became distracted and it is unknown whether they will face charges.

The crash remains under investigation as the NTSB determines its cause.