A bus carrying high school students north of New York City crashed and rolled down an embankment Thursday, injuring dozens of people and killing one, multiple outlets are reporting.
New York State Police said in a press release it is “currently investigating a serious bus crash with multiple serious injuries” on I-84 in the town of Wawayanda, located in Orange County, New York.
Orange County and New York state authorities confirmed to NBC New York that one adult died and 46 people were injured, five of whom are in critical condition.
NBC New York reported the crash happened just after 1 p.m.; it isn’t yet clear what caused the crash.
I-84 is closed at Exit 15A going westbound, and police are asking motorists to avoid the area as it’s “expected to be closed for several hours.”
The bus was taking students from Farmingdale High School in Nassau County on Long Island to a band camp in Greeley, Pennsylvania, CNN reported.
In a statement to ABC, the district said police, emergency responders and district administrators are at the scene, and there will be “another update when more information becomes available.”
Forbes has reached out to the school district for more information.
New York leaders are already weighing in on the crash. Sen. Chuck Schumer tweeted that he’s monitoring the incident and “praying for the students, passengers, families, and everyone involved.” Gov. Kathy Hochul also said on social media she was briefed on the incident, and has directed New York State Police and the New York Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to assist local emergency responders.
Farmingdale High School is on the south shore of Long Island and is the only high school in the Farmingdale School District, which is about 30 miles east of New York City. The district has 5,127 students.