Tour Bus From NYC Heading To Casino Overturns On I-95 In Madison
MADISON, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A charter bus accident on Monday left 30 people injured, several critically, and closed the northbound side of Interstate 95 in Madison, Connecticut.
As CBS2's Dick Brennan reported, the accident happened around 12:30 p.m. Monday in the northbound lanes of the expressway just beyond Exit 61, according to the Connecticut state Department of Transportation.
At the time of the accident, there were 55 people on board the Dahlia tour bus. It had left from Flushing, Queens and was headed to the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut when it flipped over on its side in the middle of a snowstorm, officials said.
The injured people were taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital and to the Hospital of St. Raphael at Yale-New Haven, according to police.
"We expected to have even more significant injuries than we actually had," said emergency medical technician Christopher Bernier. "A vast majority of patients were actually able to walk off the bus, and that was a good thing."
Six people were listed as being in critical, but stable, condition, and several had broken bones, CBS2's Tony Aiello reported. At one hospital in Westbrook, a man was ready to go home with an injured hand and leg.
The uninjured were taken to a nearby warming center.
The bus is owned by Dahlia but operated by VMC East Coast.
According to federal records, recent inspections reveal no critical violations against Dahlia, and the carrier scores an overall "satisfactory" rating.
In a statement, VMC representatives said they are saddened, but praying for the victims. They said they will be safely returned to their families.
Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said officials are monitoring the situation, and urged those traveling in the area to use extra caution and to reduce speed on the roadways due to the weather conditions.
"Public safety is our top priority and our office continues to work with state agencies and emergency management officials to that end," Malloy said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with those who are injured, and we extend our gratitude to the first responders who are working to protect the safety of all those involved."
In the meantime, a spokesman for the casino said other buses from New York City were rerouted back until conditions improve.
The cause of the accident was still not clear late Monday, but weather was believed to be a factor.
All lanes were back open on the Connecticut Turnpike as of 6 p.m. Monday.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
