1 Dead, 40+ Injured In I-84 Bus Crash Involving Schoolchildren

WAWAYANDA, NY — A bus carrying schoolchildren from Long Island on their way to band camp in Pennsylvania overturned on Interstate 84 in Orange County Thursday afternoon, according to multiple news sources.

News 12 is reporting that at least one person is dead and more than 40 injured in the crash.

The bus was carrying schoolchildren from Farmingdale, Nassau County.

“We were informed that there had been an accident with Bus 1 en route to Greeley, PA for band camp,” the Farmingdale School District wrote in a statement reported by WABC-TV. “Police and emergency responders on the scene, as well as district administration. We will provide another update when more information becomes available. We ask for your patience as we gather more details.”

Injured passengers, at least five of whom are critically injured, are being taken to Westchester Medical Center, WABC-TV said.

A Family Reunification Center has been established at the SUNY Orange County Community College at 115 South St. in Middletown, according to Orange County Emergency Management.

Injured students from the bus are being taken to SUNY Orange County for reunification, the Farmingdale school district said in an update. Students from the other five buses are headed back to Farmingdale High School. They will stop at Orange County Community College first for the chance to stretch and meet with grief counselors.

Reunification in Farmingdale will take place in the bus parking lot off of Grant Avenue. People were asked to bring identification, the school district said.

Governor Kathy Hochul said she was briefed on the tragedy in Orange County.

“At my direction, personnel from the New York State Police and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services are onsite to assist local emergency response teams. 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,” she said in a statement.

The state Department of Transportation said the crash occurred at 1:30 p.m. on I-84 westbound at Exit 15A/B (I-84) - Middletown - Goshen (US 6 - Rouote 17M) (Wawayanda).

Orange County Emergency Management said that I-84 is closed in both directions between Exit 1 and Exit 15 until further notice. It is anticipated it will be closed for several hours. They advise finding alternate routes.