Two adults are confirmed dead and six students are critically

Two adults are confirmed dead and six students are critically injured after a charter bus full of high school students plunged 50 feet into a ravine on the way to music camp in New York

Two adults are confirmed dead and six high school students are in critical condition after a charter bus carrying students to music camp plunged off an embankment in upstate New York.

Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, confirmed the deaths on Thursday evening, describing it as “a day of horror” for the 44 people – four adults and 40 students – on board.

She said a defective front tire “probably contributed to the accident.”

At 1:12 p.m., New York State Police were called to a report of a bus overturning 10 miles from the nearest exit on the two-lane highway near the Orange County town of Wawayanda.

Hochul said the bus “literally fell down a 15-meter-high ravine.”

She led a six-bus convoy carrying 300 students, mostly ninth graders, from Farmingdale High School in Nassau County to the marching band camp music event at Pine Forest in Greeley, Pennsylvania.

The bus appeared to have veered off the busy road about 75 miles northwest of New York City and plunged down an embankment before coming to rest on its side in a heavily wooded area.

One person has been confirmed dead and at least five are in critical condition after a charter bus carrying students to music camp plunged off an embankment in upstate New York

One person has been confirmed dead and at least five are in critical condition after a charter bus carrying students to music camp plunged off an embankment in upstate New York

There were around 45 people on the bus, most of whom were injured.  The people killed in the crash were identified as adults.  The bus overturned just before 1:30 p.m., 10 miles from the nearest exit on the two-lane highway near the Orange County town of Wawayanda

There were around 45 people on the bus, most of whom were injured. The people killed in the crash were identified as adults. The bus overturned just before 1:30 p.m., 10 miles from the nearest exit on the two-lane highway near the Orange County town of Wawayanda

It led a convoy of six buses carrying 300 students, mostly ninth graders, from Farmingdale High School in Nassau County to a music event as part of a marching band camp

It led a convoy of six buses carrying 300 students, mostly ninth graders, from Farmingdale High School in Nassau County to a music event as part of a marching band camp

“We were informed that there had been an accident involving Bus 1 en route to Bandcamp in Greeley, Pennsylvania,” the Farmingdale School District said in a statement

“Police and emergency services on site as well as district administration.” We will provide a further update as more information becomes available. We ask for your patience as we gather further details.’

Six passengers, all believed to be juveniles, were hospitalized in critical condition, said Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus.

An Orange County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman said multiple law enforcement agencies, emergency responders and fire departments were at the scene, which she described as the site of an “active investigation.”

Hochul said all 44 people on board were freed from the wreckage within 45 minutes.

The injured were taken to Westchester County Medical Center or Garnet Health Medical Center in Wallkill, with two Medivac helicopters assisting in rescue efforts.

Anthony Eugenio, a student, was on the bus and remembered it rolling several times before coming to a stop.

He called his family and said he was a little under the weather.

“He said he was really in pain.” He has a big bump on his leg. “He has someone else’s blood on his pants,” his father said.

“The person next to him was covered in blood.”

Anthony had to borrow a friend’s phone because he lost his in the accident.

“It was pretty nerve-wracking,” his father said.

“When you get messages like that and your son is two and a half hours away, it’s pretty scary.”

“I heard a lot of my friends are critically injured,” one freshman told ABC7.

“I’m not feeling particularly well at the moment.”

“I usually take the bus.” I don’t think I want to take the bus anymore. That’s why I’m always careful when I go on trips, for example taking the bus to school.

“Now I don’t know if I don’t want to go on trips anymore.” I’m sad. I just want to pray, want to pray. I want to know how my friends’ families are doing. I’m all shaky and stuff because a lot of my friends were on that bus.’

“How are they going to recover from this?” one parent told Fox29.

“Please don’t leave anyone out.” These are my babies. They think they’re big and tough, but they’re babies.”

The bus bore the logo of the Regency Luxury Charter Bus Company of Smithtown, New York, and was about 100 miles en route to the annual four-day weekend camp.

“We thought it was a joke,” said a student whose friend was airlifted from the crash site.

“We didn’t think it was that serious. ‘It’s terrible.’

1695338307 902 Two adults are confirmed dead and six students are critically To reach the passengers, ladders were raised to the overturned bus

To reach the passengers, ladders were raised to the overturned bus

Helicopters showed the extent of the effort to rescue the injured children

Helicopters showed the extent of the effort to rescue the injured children

The bus convoy took students to a music event at the marching band camp at Pine Forest in Greeley, Pennsylvania

The bus convoy took students to a music event at the marching band camp at Pine Forest in Greeley, Pennsylvania

A family reunification center was set up in a community building for the injured students who did not require hospital treatment

A family reunification center was set up in a community building for the injured students who did not require hospital treatment

Rescue workers were seen combing the thick undergrowth and wooded area next to the bus.

New York State Police said westbound Route 84 was closed at Exit 15 while the investigation continues, but the eastbound lane has since reopened.

A SUNY Orange spokesperson said the college’s athletic center will be used as a family information and reunification center.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman organized a police escort for the families of the affected students.

“Students will have the opportunity to stretch and meet with grief counselors,” the district said in a statement.

“Once cleared, they will return to Farmingdale High School.”

Middletown Mayor Joe DeStefano said the other buses in the convoy would head back to Nassau County.

“I’m very shocked,” one student told CBS outside the school. “Before they left, I saw my friends and told them to have fun.”

“When people started finding out, kids started telling their teachers,” another added.

“They opened the room and people were hugging and crying and everyone looked distraught.”

“My niece is on one of the other buses, she’s fine,” Howitt Middle School teacher Donna Baltch told ABC7.

“It’s frightening, these kids are going on a trip to have fun, something they look forward to all year, and these poor teachers, these chaperones.”

“I’m hearing mixed things, we don’t know if they’re OK. “Right now we’re just praying and hoping they’re OK.”

State officials said the search of the bus was complete and all of the children had been found.

The tumbling bus crushed trees and bushes as it plunged down the slope

The tumbling bus crushed trees and bushes as it plunged down the slope

Rescue workers use ropes to navigate the steep slope down to the bus stop

Rescue workers use ropes to navigate the steep slope down to the bus stop

A heavy truck arrived at the scene of the accident to tow away the crashed bus.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she had been informed of the tragedy.

“At my direction, New York State Police and Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services personnel are on scene to assist local emergency response teams,” she said.

“We are grateful to the first responders whose quick actions saved lives, and we will continue to support them as needed.” “Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this terrible situation.”

The cause of the crash is still unknown and the National Transportation Safety Board said it was monitoring the accident.

The September band camp trip is an annual tradition at the 1,700-student school.

The event includes members of the marching band, color guard and kickline team, as well as adult chaperones.