Deadly Bus Collision
Two Dead, Dozens Injured as Coach Bus Crashes, Flips on Long Island Expressway
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Key Points
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The crash occurred near Exit 16 (Greenpoint Avenue) in Maspeth as the westbound coach bus collided with a vehicle, breached the concrete barrier between lanes, and crossed into the eastbound side where it flipped and rolled into oncoming traffic.
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There were more than a dozen people on the bus at the time, with roughly 18 to 20 people transported to area hospitals for treatment, and injuries ranging from critical to minor across those affected.
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Emergency response was extensive, with nearly 100 responders on scene and involvement from the NYPD Collision Investigation Squad to assist with the probe.
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The crash involved four vehicles in total, with the bus hitting two vehicles before crossing the median and colliding with two more on the eastbound side; several drivers were observed exiting their cars amid the roadway delay.
A coach bus flipped and crossed into oncoming traffic on the Long Island Expressway late Monday night, killing two people and injuring at least 20 others. The crash happened just before midnight near Exit 16 at Greenpoint Avenue in Maspeth, Queens, according to NBC News.
The bus driver and one passenger were pronounced dead at the scene, WPIX reported. Three others were in critical condition, two had serious injuries, and 15 suffered minor injuries, according to Instagram — CrimeWatchAtlanta. Nearly 100 emergency personnel responded to the wreckage.
How a Single Impact Triggered a Deadly Chain Reaction
The westbound coach bus first struck a passenger vehicle near Exit 16. That car then rear-ended a second car in front of it, according to AM New York. The force of the collision sent the bus into the concrete median divider.
The bus breached the barrier, flipped onto its side, and rolled into the eastbound lanes. It then hit two more oncoming vehicles, Washington Examiner reported. Four passenger cars and the coach bus were involved in total — five vehicles caught up in a matter of seconds.
Rescuers Needed Power Tools to Free Trapped Victims
Firefighters arrived to find victims pinned inside the wreckage. Crews used hydraulic rescue tools — sometimes called the "jaws of life" — to pull people free. Nearly 100 FDNY and EMS personnel worked the scene through the early morning hours.
Roughly 18 to 20 people were transported to area hospitals, according to Head Topics. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad took over the forensic probe, mapping the debris field across both directions of the expressway.
LIE Shut Down for Nearly 10 Hours, Gridlock Spread for Miles
Both directions of the LIE were blocked at 50th Street for roughly 9.5 hours — from 11:45 PM until about 9:15 AM Tuesday. Portions of the Midtown Tunnel were also closed during the investigation. The shutdown hit on a day already designated a "Gridlock Alert Day" in New York City.
The timing made things worse. The closure fell between the Midtown Tunnel and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway interchange, leaving drivers with few alternate routes. Delays stretched into the Tuesday morning commute, AM New York reported, causing backups across the region.
Cause Still Unknown as Investigators Comb the Scene
What caused the bus to lose control and strike the first vehicle is still unknown. Investigators have not ruled out mechanical failure or driver fatigue, Washington Examiner reported. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is leading the probe.
The identities of both victims were withheld pending family notification. Officials urged caution and said the investigation is ongoing. No charges have been filed.
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