Reports indicate that students from Columbia University were among the five individuals who tragically lost their lives on Friday when a tour bus returning from Niagara Falls was involved in a crash in rural New York.
In a statement, Columbia University expressed its sorrow over the death of 22-year-old Xie Hongzhuo from Beijing, China, who was studying in New York City. The university’s spokesperson shared, “This heartbreaking loss is deeply felt throughout our community. We are in close contact with her family and provide our full support… Our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with her family, friends, and everyone affected by this tragedy.”
The university has also announced that it is offering counseling and other resources for affected students.
New York State Police have identified four additional victims: 60-year-old Pickey Chanrani from East Brunswick, New Jersey, Zhang Xiaolan, 55, from Jersey City, New Jersey, and Jian Mingli, 56, also from Jersey City.
The Staten Island-based tour bus, operated by M&Y Tour Incorporated, was on its way back to New York City when it veered off the road in Pembroke around 12:30 PM. Authorities reported that the driver, 55-year-old Bin Xiao from Flushing, New York, did not appear to have any mechanical issues with the bus. Xiao stated that he became distracted, which led to the collision.
Erie County Medical Center has confirmed that 21 patients were treated following the incident. As of Saturday, seven of those patients had been discharged, while three were under observation. Six others were reported to be stable, and five remained in the trauma intensive care unit. There is still uncertainty about whether additional victims were taken to nearby hospitals.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced its plan to send a team to investigate the incident. The bus has been taken to state police facilities as part of the evidence collection process.
Support was coordinated among several agencies, including the New York State Police, various emergency management offices, and local fire departments, all contributing to the response efforts.
