A charter bus carrying high school students to a band camp hurtled off a highway in the Hudson Valley and down an embankment Thursday, killing two person and hurting dozens of others. The wreck happened in the early afternoon on Interstate 84 in the town of Wawayanda in Orange County. Forty-three people were taken to hospitals.
At least five people were badly hurt, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus told WNBC-TV. News footage showed ripped-up grass on the embankment and the bus lying on its left side with its roof warped. A ladder allowed rescuers to reach the windows. The bus was one of six in a caravan carrying students from Farmingdale High School on Long Island to a band camp in Greeley, Pennsylvania, according to a message from the school district. Westchester Medical Center received three patients.
Students on the other buses were to stop off at a community college for a break before heading back to Long Island.
“Students will have the opportunity to stretch and meet with grief counselors,” according to a message from the district. “Once cleared, they will be returning to Farmingdale High School.”
Westchester Medical Center received three patients, said hospital spokesperson Andy LaGuardia, who could not provide conditions. Two other hospitals in the region received patients, LaGuardia said, but he did not have details.
Student Anthony Eugenio called his family to say he was a little banged up, but OK. He recalled the bus rolling over several times before it came to a rest.
“He said he is really sore. He’s got a big bump on his leg. He’s got blood on his pants from somebody else. The person next to him was covered in blood,” his father, Jonathan Eugenio, told The Associated Press in a phone interview from near the upstate crash site.
Anthony, who plays the trombone, had to borrow a friend’s phone because he could not find his, after the bus tumbled off the road.
“It was pretty nerve-wracking,” the worried father said. “When you get news like that and your son is two and half hours away — it’s pretty scary.”
News footage showed ripped-up grass on the embankment and the bus lying on its left side with its roof warped. A ladder allowed rescuers to reach the windows.
A September trip to band camp is an annual tradition at the suburban high school, which has around 1,700 students. Members of the marching band, color guard and the school’s kick line team attend, as well as adult chaperones. During some years, more than 300 students have gone on the trip to rehearse and have fun in rural Pennsylvania.
“Students will have the opportunity to stretch and meet with grief counselors,” according to a message from the district. “Once cleared, they will be returning to Farmingdale High School.”
Westchester Medical Center received three patients, said hospital spokesperson Andy LaGuardia, who could not provide conditions. Two other hospitals in the region received patients, LaGuardia said, but he did not have details.
State troopers and emergency workers were on the scene to help local crews, Gov. Kathy Hochul said.
“We are grateful for the first responders whose speedy action saved lives and we will continue to support them however necessary. Our hearts are with all who are impacted by this horrific situation,” Hochul said in a prepared statement.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman asked that people please "pray for the injured.”
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