State Police continue investigation into fatal tour bus crash that killed five people and injured many others in Genesee County

Genesee County, New York – A devastating bus crash along Interstate 90 left five people dead and dozens more injured Friday afternoon as state police and emergency crews responded to one of the region’s most serious highway accidents in recent years. The collision occurred around 12:22 p.m. on August 22 in the town of Pembroke, when a tour bus carrying more than 50 passengers overturned on the thruway’s south embankment.

According to New York State Police, the 2005 Van Wool Bus and Coach tour bus was traveling eastbound between exits 48A and 49, heading from Niagara Falls to New York City. The bus, owned by M&Y Tour Inc. out of Staten Island, veered into the median before abruptly swerving back toward the roadway. That sudden correction caused the vehicle to tip and roll, ejecting multiple passengers and trapping others inside.

Five people were pronounced dead at the scene. They were identified as Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, of Madhu Bani, India; Pinki Changrani, 60, of East Brunswick, New Jersey; Xie Hongzhuo, 22, of Beijing, China, a Columbia University student living in New York City; Zhang Xiaolan, 55, of Jersey City, New Jersey; and Jian Mingli, 56, also of Jersey City.

The bus had 54 people on board at the time of the crash. Survivors were rushed to hospitals across Western New York, including Erie County Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, Millard Fillmore Suburban, and United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia. Several Mercy Flight helicopters were dispatched to the scene, while dozens of EMS teams and fire departments from surrounding counties assisted in rescue operations.

Investigators confirmed that the driver, identified as 55-year-old Bin Shao of Flushing, New York, showed no signs of impairment. Initial checks of the vehicle also revealed no mechanical failures. Authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the rollover. “This is still an active investigation,” state police said in a statement.

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The scene of the crash quickly drew a massive response from multiple agencies. Along with state police, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Thruway Authority, the National Transportation Safety Board, and several emergency management teams coordinated efforts. Specialists from the Collision Reconstruction Unit, Forensic Identification Unit, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation were also deployed to piece together what led to the tragedy.

As news of the fatalities spread, the Red Cross set up a Family Assistance Center at the Amherst Senior Center in Buffalo to help relatives connect with survivors and receive updates. Officials later confirmed the center has now closed, as all families have been able to make contact with passengers. For those who lost belongings during the crash, state police urged them to reach out directly to SP Batavia at 585-344-6200.

Investigators are also appealing to the public for help. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has dash camera footage from the I-90 near Pembroke at the time is asked to contact state police at the same number.

While accidents on the New York State Thruway are not uncommon, the scale of Friday’s crash made it particularly catastrophic. The involvement of international travelers, including students and tourists, underscored the wide reach of the tragedy.

“The companies go all out and roll out the red carpet for us. On one visit they even made special cookies to welcome the Tigers. It’s a good way for both sides to connect.”

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The broader investigation will now focus on driver actions, road conditions, and the bus’s movements in the moments leading up to the rollover. Officials have not said how long it may take before a final report is issued. In similar cases, crash reconstructions can take months, particularly when multiple agencies are involved.

For Genesee County residents and travelers who use the I-90 daily, the crash served as a grim reminder of how quickly a routine trip can turn tragic. Local emergency services, which poured resources into the rescue effort, were praised for their rapid response under chaotic circumstances.

The New York State Police emphasized that updates will continue as more information is confirmed. Meanwhile, the community mourns the five lives lost and keeps watch over the many still recovering in hospitals across the region.