At least one person died and more than 40 students were injured when a bus carrying a high school marching band crashed on a New York highway.
The bus was headed to a band camp in Pennsylvania and was one of six buses carrying the band. The crash occurred on Interstate 84 in Orange County, about 75 miles north of New York City.
The bus overturned near the town of Wawayanda, about two hours northwest of New York City. Five people are in critical condition. The bus was carrying mostly high school students. The person who died was an adult.
On average, there are nearly 60,000 bus accidents each year in the United States. While most of these collisions result in property damage only, hundreds of people are killed and thousands more are injured.
The bus was on its way to Greeley, Pennsylvania, the school said in a statement.
“We were informed that there had been an accident with Bus 1 en route to Greeley, PA for band camp,” Farmingdale High School spokesperson Jake Mendlinger. “Police and emergency responders are on the scene, as well as district administration.”
The bus was one of six headed to a band camp event in Pennsylvania, the Farmingdale School District said in a statement Thursday afternoon.
The New York State Police will hold a briefing on the bus crash Thursday evening. A passenger bus in the woods, in the median, between the eastbound and westbound roads.
Emergency officials can be seen at the site of the crash and a medical helicopter was also parked on the highway nearby.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the bus crash and their families,” Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus. “I would also like to thank all of the first responders for their immediate response, service and dedication.”
I-84 is shut down at exit 15A with detours in place, state police said, adding, “Interstate 84 westbound is expected to be closed for several hours.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she had been briefed on the incident and members of New York State police and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services were at the scene to assist response teams.
“We are grateful for the first responders whose speedy action saved lives and we will continue to support them however necessary,” the governor added. “Our hearts are with all who are impacted by this horrific situation.”
