1 killed, 55 injured in bus wreck

Massachusetts residents may be interested to learn about a fatal accident that happened in upstate New York on July 25. One teenager was killed and over 50 people were seriously injured by a motor vehicle accident that occurred in North Hudson. The crash happened around 8:15 a.m., but the cause of the accident was still unknown at the time of the report.

A Canadian tour bus headed for New York City destroyed 50 yards of metal posts and a guardrail as it careened over onto the driver’s side and fell down a 10-foot embankment into sandy soil. A teenage girl was ejected during the collision and ended up pinned beneath the front of the bus. Two Canadian families in two vehicles trailing the bus stopped and rushed to render aid to the 61-year-old driver and the passengers involved in the crash.

The bus driver and most of the passengers were able to walk away from the accident without suffering any serious injuries. The accident victims were forced to exit the bus through the windshield or the emergency hatch located in the roof. A tow driver with heavy-duty jacks stopped to help rescuers free the teenager from beneath the bus, but efforts to revive her were unsuccessful. Serious injuries suffered by the passengers on board included crushed limbs, major lacerations and broken bones.

Accident victims who are fortunate enough to survive a serious crash may benefit from filing a personal injury claim in court. The driver or bus company may be held liable for the resulting damages if legal counsel proves that the accident was caused by negligence. Surviving relatives who file a wrongful death claim may be entitled to recover compensation that can help account for funeral expenses, medical costs and other economic hardships caused by the collision.

Source: Times Union, “Death on the Northway“, Paul Grondahl, July 18, 2014