Two people were killed and 20 others injured in a multi-vehicle crash on the Long Island Expressway in Queens, New York, on Monday night.
The deadly collision has prompted a federal investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) after occurring at about 11.45pm.
A westbound coach bus struck a vehicle near exit 16 at Greenpoint Avenue and Hunters Point Avenue in Queens, triggering a chain collision that involved four additional vehicles.
New York police said in a statement that the crash occurred after a coach operated by a 35-year-old man collided with another vehicle, which then struck a third car.
“The initial collision then caused the bus to flip over the median on to oncoming eastbound traffic, where the bus then collided” with a fourth and fifth vehicle, police added.
The bus driver and one passenger were pronounced dead at the scene, according to a statement by New York police to the Guardian.
“The identities of the deceased are being withheld pending proper family notifications,” the statement continued. Police also added that one of the drivers from the other vehicles has been transported to a hospital in critical condition, and three other drivers involved in the crash were said to be in stable condition.
“All other passengers on the coach bus were transported to local area hospitals in stable condition,” police said. They also said the investigation into the crash remained ongoing.
About 79 fire and emergency service personnel responded to the scene, according to the New York fire department, as reported by the New York Times.
After the collision, the police said all lanes were blocked on the eastbound and westbound Long Island Expressway at 50th Street. All lanes had reopened as of Tuesday afternoon.
