Updated: One dead after I-87 tour bus crash

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article identified the bus involved as being operated by Skyway Coach Lines per New York State Police. On Jan. 18, State Police clarified the bus, which displayed the Flixbus logo, was owned and operated by RM Transnational LTD. LAKE GEORGE | A tour bus rollover Jan. 5 on the I-87 Northway between Exits 22 and 23 claimed one life and left at least 12 others injured. Multiple first responders and law enforcement agencies responded to the southbound lanes of the Northway within moments of the 12:50 p.m. crash as Medivac helicopters responded to assist with the more serious injuries. The rollover occurred just south of the active construction zone for the replacement of the bridges over state Route 9. The incident was broadcast on national television networks and prominent U.S. newspapers. Multiple fire and EMS organizations responded to the scene including agencies from Warrensburg, Lake George, Chestertown, North Warren, Bolton, Johnsburg, West Glens Falls, Queensbury and Glens Falls. Warrensburg firefighters were on the scene a few minutes after the rollover. New York State Police said the RM Transnational LTD tour bus was traveling from Montreal to Manhattan with 23 people on board when the rollover occurred. One person succumbed to their injuries while another was airlifted to Albany Medical Center in critical condition. Ten others, some of whom were treated at Glens Falls Hospital, endured non-life-threatening injuries. Albany's CBS6 News reported Jan. 7 that the deceased passenger was identified as Jeanne Elzanie Jourdan Colin, 74, of Montreal. The passenger who had been airlifted remained hospitalized Sunday at Albany Medical Center in critical condition, according to authorities. Eight people were reportedly taken to Glens Falls Hospital. I-87 southbound was closed between Exits 22 and 23 for about eight hours on Jan. 5, and traffic was rerouted. The northbound lane was opened first as evening approached. Warren County officials said the bus passengers were primarily Canadians alongside Swiss travelers heading for flights home. American Red Cross was assisting with temporary shelter as needed. The local community quickly rallied in the wake of the tragedy. Warrensburg and Lake George School districts were among those assisting with immediate response, sending buses to transport those with no injuries or minor wounds to the Lake George fire station, while trapped passengers were pulled from the wreckage. Fort William Hotel offered the bus passengers free overnight stays and meals while the Warrensburg Volunteer Fire Company and Warren County Veterans Services assisted with transportation. As word of the accident spread, Gov. Kathy Hochul said that State Police and Department of Transportation officials immediately responded and were on site performing rescue operations. "I join the people of New York in praying for the well-being of all involved in this horrific incident and am deeply grateful for the heroic efforts of our first responders," she said. Minutes after the crash, Jennifer Hurney of Warrensburg told The Sun she had seen the rollover a few moments after it occurred and before first responders were on the scene. Hurney was driving northbound on I-87 when she saw the bus overturned in the ditch off the shoulder of the southbound lane, she said, noting a police cruiser sped past her towards the scene. She said he was likely to be the first officer to respond to the rollover. "I saw people crawling out of the bus's windows, and there were other people helping others out of the vehicle's windows and a door," she said. "I saw a woman whose head was out of one of the windows looking dazed, waiting to be rescued." She said the scene was disturbing to view. "It was unbelievable. I saw people watching, looking underneath the bus, and others attempting to rescue people," she said. Hurney said the road was dry, although snow flurries were descending from the sky. "The road wasn't slippery," she said. The bus was reportedly from RM Transnational LTD and marked as a FlixBus. FlixBus confirmed the bus was en route to midtown Manhattan. FlixBus said it was working closely with law enforcement and its transport partner to "determine the exact circumstances of this accident." "At all times, the safety of passengers and drivers is of the highest importance to FlixBus," the company said in a statement. "FlixBus is deeply shocked about what happened and sends its deepest condolences to the victim's relatives and friends and expresses its full support to the passengers and drivers affected by this accident." Authorities are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash, or the bus before the crash, to contact state Police at Troop G Headquarters at 518-783-3211. Anyone with dash camera videos that may have recorded the incident is also asked to contact State Police Troop G. Jan. 6, authorities said that the National Traffic Safety Board would be conducting an investigation into the rollover in an attempt to determine its cause. -Written by Contributing Writer Thom Randall and Managing Editor Andrea LaForest

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Updated: One dead after I-87 tour bus crash

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