UPDATE 11/11/24:

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office has released the identity of the bus passenger who died from their injuries. According to officials, Tofazzal Hossain, 38, of Bangladesh, died on Thursday.

UPDATE 11/8/24:

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office confirms the passenger who was seriously injured in the crash and listed in critical condition on Thursday has died from their injuries. The victim's name has not yet been released.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office says it is investigating a crash involving a bus that sent dozens of people to the hospital.

Officials say the FlixBus, operated by Tribal Sun Bus Company out of Massachusetts, was traveling west on I-490 when the crash happened around 7 a.m. on Thursday, just west of Union Street in the Rochester suburb of Chili. According to investigators, the bus flipped onto its side and rotated 180 degrees as it skidded along the pavement. They say the bus was the only vehicle involved.

"This was a very significant accident," Monroe County Sheriff Chief Deputy Michael Fowler said. "The bus left the roadway, re-entered the roadway, eventually flipped and ended up on its side, where it slid probably approximately 200 yards before it came to a stop on its side." 

The emergency call reported the crash as a multi-patient incident and a total of 18 ambulances, as well as police and fire personnel, responded.

“The fact that there were people out walking along 490, and, of course, you got a bus turned over on its side," Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter said. "You got people possibly trapped. We don't know who's on the bus yet. It was a surreal moment. You know, you're trained for these things, but when you pull up and actually see a bus flipped on its side and people literally walking in a state of confusion on the side of the road trying to figure out what just happened to them, as they were just thrown about inside a bus, right. So, it was surreal. It was things you train for, but you don't ever expect to see in your life.”

Police say the first deputy on scene attempted to enter the bus through the windshield but was unable to do so and had to use the escape hatch located on the roof.

When first responders arrived at the crash scene, they say they immediately found multiple passengers walking around in confusion after they had managed to get out of the bus. Two people were still inside the bus, one of them with serious injuries.

Photo: MCSO

“I saw something in front of me, and this bus had flipped over,” said witness Deanna Loverde. “Then people were getting pulled out of the bus and people were really hurt. So, I just immediately pulled over and called 911."

"The first responders just got to be recognized today,"  Baxter said. "They responded to their protocols. They responded to their training. Whether it was responding deputies or state troopers, the EMTs and their coordination of efforts with Strong Memorial and Rochester Regional Health and make sure they were prepared to receive these casualties."

A total of 28 people were transported to Rochester-area hospitals. Most of them were reported to have had minor injuries, including one child. The patient with serious injuries is currently listed in critical condition. Of those 28, 13 patients were brought to Strong Hospital, 11 to Unity Hospital, and four to Rochester General. Rochester Regional Health says it is working with Monroe County on coordinating food, clothing, shelter and transportation for their patients.

A spokesperson from FlixBus issued this statement addressing the crash:

“We are aware of the accident near Churchville, NY. Our team is actively working with the bus operator to understand the details and provide necessary assistance to passengers. Please note that FlixBus is not a bus operator; all schedules are operated by third-party bus companies. We will continue to seek updates from the bus operator and authorities as the investigation progresses. We have no additional information to share at this time.”

Chief Deputy Fowler says the driver of the bus was issued four tickets, alleging fatigued driving, reckless lane changes, excessive speed and not wearing a seatbelt. Fowler says based on a preliminary investigation the bus is believed to have been traveling at least 70 mph. The speed limit in the area of the scene is 65 mph.

Deputies say the driver was ejected through the front windshield, but is OK and is cooperating with the MCSO. Officials say the driver helped perform first aid on those injured following the crash.

Police say they are reviewing footage from both the bus itself and video recorded from nearby dashcams. The MCSO says an investigation into the mechanical inspection of the bus is ongoing.

“This will be treated as a criminal investigation," Fowler said. "That is not because we believe there's a criminal act involved. That's because we are we are doing a complete and thorough investigation. So, we're leaving no stone unturned."

The accident reconstruction team spent hours on the scene and now the bus has been moved to a secure impound lot.

Officials say the bus left New York City and had been making multiple stops along the Thruway as it was headed to Niagara Falls. It had just stopped in Rochester.

Police have set up a family liaison office that family members can contact to learn the status of their loved ones. The office can be contacted by phone at (585) 753-4455.

Gov. Kathy Hochul released a statement on the crash, saying in part:

"I join the people of New York in praying for the well-being of all involved in this serious incident and am deeply grateful for the heroic efforts of our first responders.”

Both the eastbound and westbound sides of I-490 in Chili were shut down between exits 3 and 4 throughout the day Thursday due to the crash.