By Emily Gu
A tour bus drove off the New York State Thruway, rolling over in central New York. Approximately 57 people were on the bus, and all had to go to the hospital, state police and a hospital said.
The tour bus landed on its side at around 12:40 pm along the highway’s westbound side near Weedsport, a village 25 miles west from Syracuse. The reason for the tour bus veering off-course is unknown. State police identified the driver as Fermin Vasquez, 66, of Wingdale, NY. While he was taken to the hospital, police didn’t elaborate about his injuries.
The bus was headed towards Niagara Falls from Poughkeepsie in Hudson Valley, reports said. Juan Gil-Urrego said that his mother had arranged the trip. This was one of the many trips she planned to various locations, as affordable excursions for the locals. Gil-Urrego’s mother was badly injured, but he was still relieved that she was alive.
A westbound lane had been closed until early evening, and traffic was backed up for 8 miles in one direction, at one point. Authorities had issued a request on social media for any witnesses of the crash to contact them.