DFA: Filipinos among casualties in New York bus crash

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday said several Filipinos were among the casualties of a bus crash in Upstate New York that left at least five people dead and dozens injured.

The DFA cited information from the local police in reporting the matter, even as it assured that the Philippine Consulate in New York was closely monitoring developments related to the mishap. 

"New York State Police have reported that several of the casualties are Filipino nationals," the DFA said.

The statement did not mention the extent of injuries or the medical status of the affected Filipinos.

The bus was on its way back to New York City from Niagara Falls when it crashed along Interstate 90 in the town of Pembroke. The ill-fated vehicle was a tour bus carrying 51 passengers, not counting the driver.

Police said the driver lost control of the vehicle, which rolled over several times before landing off the side of the freeway.

Several critically injured passengers had to be airlifted and taken to different hospitals for treatment.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by this incident. Respecting the privacy of the individuals, authorities have not released further information and instead relayed that they will be reaching out to the families of the victims directly," the DFA said.

"The Consulate is actively monitoring the situation and stands ready to assist any victims who may need assistance," it added.

In its own advisory, the Philippine Consulate also said it is "keeping in its thoughts and prayers all those impacted by the tragic bus crash on the New York State Thruway in Pembroke, New York."

The consulate said Filipinos with relatives possibly involved in the incident may contact the its Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Section emergency hotline at (917) 294-0196.

Trooper James O'Callaghan, a spokesperson for the New York State Police, said at least one child was among the dead.

He told reporters near the scene that most of the passengers were Asian or of Asian descent, including Chinese, Indians and Filipinos.

The National Transportation Safety Board was sending a team to investigate the accident, the agency said.

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, O'Callaghan said.

The driver, who survived the accident, lost control while the bus was moving at "full speed," he said, causing the vehicle to career into the median and then flip over. No other vehicles were involved. — VDV, GMA Integrated News