NTSB Investigating New York Charter Bus Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board is working with the New York State Police to investigate the cause of a Sept. 21 rollover crash of a charter bus carrying high school students to a marching band event in Pennsylvania.

The NTSB reported in a social media post that its investigators would be on the scene Sept. 22.

The NTSB, in coordination with the New York State Police, is sending a team to conduct a safety investigation into Thursday's rollover crash on Interstate 84 in Wawayanda, New York. Team will arrive on scene Friday morning.

— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) September 21, 2023

At least two adults died and several other passengers were injured – five critically – when the charter bus carrying 40 students from Farmingdale High School and four adults went off Interstate 84 in Wayawanda and rolled down a 50-foot ravine.

During a news conference on Thursday, investigators said a faulty front tire on the bus might’ve contributed to the wreck.

“They say grief is the price you pay for love,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul during the conference, which was broadcast on ABC7NY and other networks. “We have families, we have a school, school district, county, even an entire state that is grieving at this time.”

The charter bus was one of six taking students to an annual band camp in Greeley, Penn.

The adults killed in the accident have been identified as Gina Pellettiere, 43, and Beatrice Ferrari, 77. Both were music faculty members at Farmingdale High.

“It is difficult to express the sadness and grief that the Farmingdale School District and I feel over the tragic events that unfolded earlier and the horrific experience our students endured,” said Paul Defendini, school superintendent. “We deeply mourn the passing of our inspiring faculty and band director, Gina Pellittiere, and the heart and soul of our marching band program, Beatrice ‘Bea’ Ferarri.”