Investigation continues into Sept. 21 bus crash in Farmingdale, NY, that killed two adults, injured several students

Two adults were killed and multiple students were injured on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023,   after a bus carrying them “tumbled down a 50-foot ravine” on Interstate 84 in Orange County in New York, CNN reported citing New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

Hochul said the authorities responded to the accident at about 1:12 pm adding that, “With the help of first responders and rescuers, the students were removed from the bus and brought to safety within 45 minutes.” the governor added. She called Thursday “a day of terror” and said the state was grieving the tragedy.

Dr. Satish Anand, in an email to News India Times, September 30, said “There were quite a few kids of South Asian origin including our 14 yrs old granddaughter,” on the bus. He also said that, “two adults died one band teacher and one chaperone.”

According to news reports, the investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board began investigating the tragedy Sept. 22.

Abcnews.com reported that NTSB said they would look at three factors –  mechanical issues with the bus, regulation compliance of the carrier and survival factors.

“Imagine the fear, the screams and the aftermath when these high school students – many of them freshmen – were surrounded by this chaos,” Hochul said, according to CNN.

The commercial bus was carrying 40 students from Farmingdale High School and four adults, Lt Colonel Richard L Mazzone of the New York State Police said in a news conference, CNN reported.

Mazzone said there were several serious injuries, including five critical. He did not reveal the details regarding injuries. However, he said that the injured were taken to six area hospitals.

Mazzone said, “Preliminary information indicates a failure of a front tire may have been a contributing factor to this accident,” adding that an investigation remains ongoing.
I-84 was shut down at exit 15A with detours in place, according to state police.

Farmingdale High School spokesperson Jake Mendlinger said that the bus was heading to Greeley, Pennsylvania for band camp. According to the Farmingdale School District, the bus was one of six heading to a band camp event in Pennsylvania.

Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus in a statement said that their thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the bus crash and their families, CNN reported. Neuhaus thanked the first responders for their immediate response.

Abcnews.com said the two adults who died were identified as 77-year-old Beatrice Ferrari, of Farmingdale, and 43-year-old Gina Pellettiere, of Massapequa.

In its press briefing Sept. 22, NTSB said any developments in the investigation would be posted on the New York State Police newsroom. So far, no new development has been posted.