On Thursday, two adults were killed and multiple students were injured, after the bus carrying them tumbled down a 50-foot highway on Interstate 84 in Orange County, New York.
New York’s governor, Kathy Hochul told CNN that the local authorities responded to the scene of the accident at about 1:12 pm on Thursday.
According to her, the students were pulled out with the help of first responders and rescuers and they were brought to safety.
She tagged Thursday as ‘a day of terror’ and noted that the state was grieving the loss.
“Imagine the fear, the screams, and the aftermath when these students – many of them were freshmen – were surrounded by chaos, ” Hochul said.
“With the help of first responders and rescuers, the students were removed from the bus and brought to safety within 45 minutes.”
The bus was carrying 40 students from Farmingdale High School and four adults, according to data obtained by Lt Colonel Richard L. Mazzone.
The dead were identified as Gina Pellettiere, 43, and Beatrice Ferrari, 77. Ms. Pellettiere was listed on the school district’s website as the director of the marching band and wind ensemble.
Five people were hospitalized in critical condition, said Steven M. Neuhaus, the county executive of Orange County.
Joe Morrissey, a spokesman with the New York State Department of Transportation, said that the bus was operated by Regency Transportation of Nesconset, N.Y. The driver was properly licensed and the bus had passed its most recent inspection, he said.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this terrible crash and their families,” he said. “As this matter remains under law enforcement investigation, we are not in a position to comment further at this time.”
