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A passenger bus carrying more than 20 people overturned Tuesday on the New York State Thruway in the Hudson Valley, prompting a large emergency response and lane closures in both directions.
The crash remains under investigation.
Bus overturns on New York State Thruway
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New York State Police said the bus rolled over on the southbound Thruway at mile marker 69.5 between Exit 18 (New Paltz) and Exit 17 (Newburgh).
Authorities said approximately 23 passengers were on board at the time of the crash. The passenger bus was believed to have been en route from Schenectady to New York City, according to bystanders.
Matthew Miller, of Monticello, said he was driving behind the bus on the Thruway during heavy rain and saw the bus slow down before tipping over onto the median.
"I don't know what the driver did to make this happen, but the bus tipped over, it was in such a fashion that there was no jolt or impact," Miller said. "It was more of a tip-over than a slam dunk."
Miller said upon watching the bus start to fall, he pulled over and began helping rescue the driver and passengers.
"I pulled the driver out from behind the windshield, but I did not notice how many other people came to help beside me," Miller said.
No life-threatening injuries reported
State police said no life-threatening injuries have been reported.
Miller said he observed passengers with lacerations to the face and others that complained of head and back pain, but he confirmed no serious injuries were reported.
"Some people got toilet paper out of their cars to use as temporary bandages before first responders came, and I got a tarp to cover them from the rain," Miller said.
Miller said he believes torrential downpour and slick road conditions were the most likely cause of the accident.
Fire departments, emergency medical services and New York State Thruway Traffic Safety personnel responded to the scene.
"Being trained in emergency response as an Army veteran, I just have to say that the coordination was perfect between at least twelve agencies on the scene," Miller said. "They're the real heroes here."
Lane closures in effect
The left southbound lane and the left northbound lane remain blocked while emergency crews respond and investigators examine the scene.
State police said the investigation is ongoing and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Passenger bus overturns on New York State Thruway. What we know now
