Greyhound bus crashes in upstate New York, killing at least 5 people

Monday, August 28th 2006, 9:35 pm

By: News On 6

WESTPORT, N.Y. (AP) -- A Greyhound bus traveling from New York City to Montreal crashed through a guard rail and landed upside down in an embankment Monday, reportedly killing five people and trapping others inside the wreckage, police said.

State police reported five deaths, but they had not been confirmed by a medical examiner, said Trooper Ryan Bentley of the Westport barracks.

At least 20 passengers were lying on blankets and stretchers while receiving care from medical personnel. The back and top of the bus was crushed and one of its back wheels was turned inward.

Former Mayor Daniel Stewart was among the first people at the crash site. He provided a blanket to cover some of deceased passengers.

The bus, No. 4014, departed New York at 1 p.m. and made stops in Albany and Saratoga Springs before the crash, said Greyhound spokeswoman Anna Folmnsbee. There were 52 passengers and one driver onboard, she said.

It was traveling northbound on Interstate 87 at about 6:45 p.m. when it overturned just before exit 31 near Elizabethtown. The highway remained closed late Monday between Exits 30 and 31 in both directions.

Westport is 110 miles north of Albany.