VOI World/ Desk
Five people lost their lives in a tragic tour bus accident on Interstate 90 near Buffalo, including two Indian-origin passengers – Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, from Madhubani, Bihar, and Anuradha Khaitan, 70, from Kolkata. The bus, carrying 54 passengers returning to New York City from Niagara Falls, veered off the highway and overturned into an embankment on August 23.
The other victims included a 27-year-old Columbia University student from Beijing and two New Jersey residents. Authorities said multiple passengers were ejected during the crash, and dozens were injured, with several still in intensive care.
Investigators ruled out mechanical failure or driver impairment. The driver, Bin Shao of Queens, remained at the scene and cooperated with police. The National Transportation Safety Board, along with New York State Police, is examining factors such as driver performance, vehicle safety, and road conditions.
Emergency services deployed translators and air ambulances to aid the injured, many of whom were of Indian, Chinese, and Filipino origin. The incident has sparked concern across the Indian diaspora, particularly in Bihar and West Bengal, as the families of Jha and Khaitan grapple with the sudden loss.
