Two Indian Descent Passengers Among Five Killed in Niagra Falls Tour Bus Crash

August 24, 2025

New York: Two people of Indian descent were among five fatalities when a tour bus returning from Niagara Falls crashed near New York, state police said. Police identified the deceased as Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, a visitor from Madhubani, and Pinki Changrani, 60, who resides in East Brunswick, New Jersey.

The bus, carrying 54 passengers, was en route back to New York City on Friday afternoon after visiting the famous falls, when the driver reportedly lost control and the vehicle veered off the highway into a ditch, authorities said. The crash occurred roughly 70 kilometers from Niagara Falls and about 600 kilometers from New York City. The other three dead were described as of Chinese descent, and the bus had an international mix of sightseers from India, China, the Philippines, and the United States.

Officials did not immediately release details on the injured, and it was unclear how many additional passengers from India were aboard. Some injured passengers remained hospitalized on Saturday, with others discharged after treatment; several were airlifted to area hospitals by helicopter ambulances. Investigations are ongoing with the National Transportation Safety Board participating.

Police noted the driver showed no signs of impairment, and there was no indicated mechanical failure on the bus; investigators are examining whether distraction may have caused the loss of control. The bus was equipped with an event recording device, akin to a vehicle black box, which could provide clues to the incident.

Emergency responders arrived within minutes after the crash, securing the site and removing passengers from the wreckage. Authorities established a temporary operation center nearby to coordinate medical evacuations and transport for the families of victims. Investigators are reviewing bus maintenance records, driver hours, and route familiarity as they seek to determine a precise sequence of events leading to the crash.

Niagara Falls-area travel has drawn international visitors for decades, with emergency services routinely testing protocols for large groups. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about road-safety for tour operators and the need for stringent checks on driver alertness and vehicle condition. Further updates are expected as investigations proceed.