3 dead, many hurt in Pocono tour bus crash
Three people were killed and more than a dozen were injured Wednesday when a tractor-trailer truck collided with a bus of Italian tourists in the Poconos.
Three people were killed and more than a dozen were injured Wednesday when a tractor-trailer truck collided with a bus of Italian tourists in the Poconos.
The tourists had left New York City early Wednesday on their way to Niagara Falls. Four were reported in critical condition. Others suffered minor to moderate injuries.
Academy Bus said its driver, who had more than 10 years of experience, was among those killed. Witnesses told WNEP-TV in Scranton that the truck driver was "up and walking around" after the crash.
"We offer our condolences to the family of this valued member of our Academy team as well as to the families of others tragically affected by this accident," Academy Bus said in a statement.
The Hoboken, N.J.-based company runs charter, commuter, and casino buses from many East Coast cities, including Philadelphia. For this trip, Academy had apparently been hired by the Italian tourism company Viaggidea.
A spokesman for Academy said the company was awaiting confirmation that the driver's family had been notified before identifying him.
The crash happened shortly after 10 a.m. near the Mount Pocono exit on I-380. The crash left the mangled front end of the bus wedged into the side of an Xtra Lease truck that had been sheared in half.
Monroe County Coroner Robert Allen told the Pocono Record that the truck was heading south when it crossed the median and hit the bus head-on.
Alex Filarsky, a Scott Township man who was at the scene, told WNEP: "It was just havoc. There were people covered in blood and just mayhem everywhere, just a mess."
State police did not return calls for comment Wednesday evening.
Viaggidea, a name that roughly translates to "travel idea," organizes excursions all around the world. A brochure on its website shows dozens of U.S. trips, including some from New York to Niagara Falls to Toronto, Philadelphia, and elsewhere. It is unclear whether the bus that crashed was supposed to continue to other cities.
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This article contains information from the Associated Press.