A tour bus carrying more than 50 people veered out of control and rolled over on an upstate New York highway, killing at least five people and injuring dozens of others, authorities said.
It happened 40km east of Buffalo as the tourists headed back to New York City after visiting Niagara Falls.
The passengers were of Indian, Chinese and Filipino origin, authorities said.
"It's believed the operator became distracted, lost control, over-corrected and ended up... over there," said New York state police commander major Andre Ray at the scene yesterday evening, giving the toll for the first time.
No one else was in a life-threatening condition, Mr Ray said. Several passengers received medical treatment and were released.
Multiple passengers ended up trapped in the wreckage and had to be extricated, while others were thrown from the bus when it rolled over across the highway before coming to rest on its side in a ditch along the shoulder of the road, New York state trooper James O'Callaghan said.
The bus was carrying 51 passengers, not counting the driver, and every person aboard suffered some kind of injury, Mr O'Callaghan added.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said on the social platform X that police had confirmed that "five lives were tragically lost."
After the crash, authorities closed the highway in both directions, causing massive traffic delays at the onset of one of the last weekends of the summer holiday season.
'Heartbroken'
Eight helicopters were involved in the rescue effort, Margaret Ferrentino, president of Mercy Flight, a non-profit provider of air ambulance services said.
Ms Hochul said her team was coordinating with state police and local officials "who are working to rescue and provide assistance to everyone involved."
"I'm heartbroken for all those we've lost and all those injured and praying for their families. Thank you to our brave first responders on the scene," said the senior US senator from New York, Chuck Schumer.
"Mechanical error was ruled out as well as impairment or intoxication," said Mr Ray, who added that no charges had been brought.
"The driver is alive and well - we're working with him. We believe we have a good idea of what happened, why the bus lost control.
"We just want to make sure that all the details are thoroughly vetted," a police spokesman said.
Translators were sent to the scene to help communicate with the victims.
Niagara Falls - towering waterfalls that span the US-Canada border - is a popular tourist destination.
Accreditation: AFP/Reuters
