Students Hurt in Crash Are Recovering: Official

UPDATE Sep 24, 2023 12:45 PM CDT

A New York school superintendent said he expects all the students hurt when their bus crashed on Thursday during a high school band trip to recover from their injuries. Paul Defendini of Farmingdale schools said some of the students are still struggling, the AP reports. "I know that they appreciate all the well wishes you are sending and we can't wait to welcome them back when they are ready to return," he said in a statement. Officials did not specify how many victims were still in hospitals on Sunday; as of Friday, 16 students and two adults were hospitalized. The crash killed band director Gina Pellettiere, 43, and Beatrice Ferrari, 77, a retired teacher who was serving as a chaperone.

Sep 21, 2023 6:25 PM CDT

A bus taking high school students from Long Island to Pennsylvania for band camp overturned on Thursday on Interstate 84, about 75 miles north of New York City. Gov. Kathy Hochul said two adults were killed and five or six people were critically injured, per CBS News; rescuers told CNN that at least 48 people were hurt overall. They were taken to six hospitals. Hochul said preliminary indications are that a bad front tire caused the crash. "A bus that literally tumbled down a 50 foot ravine within minutes. It's extraordinary," she said while asking for prayers for the victims and their families.

The bus was one of six carrying about 300 Farmingdale High School students and chaperones to Greeley, Pennsylvania. "They had a weekend planned of fun and enjoying their musicianship," said Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. The state's Transportation Department said the vehicle was in compliance and the driver licensed. The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, US Sen. Charles Schumer said. (More bus accident stories.)