20 dead in crash of Limousine bound for birthday celebration in upstate New York
New York Post reports that, Twenty people were killed when a limo heading to a surprise birthday party crashed in upstate New York, relatives and reports said Sunday.
Eighteen of the dead were in the stretch SUV limo, while two were bystanders, authorities said. The group was going to a surprise birthday party, a relative of one of the victims told The Post.
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According to the publication, The limo failed to stop at an intersection and careened into an empty parked car in a restaurant parking lot in Schoharie about 35 miles west of Albany around 1:55 p.m. Saturday, authorities said. The struck car was pushed into two pedestrians, killing them, while the limo barreled into a small ravine, killing everyone in the limo, including the driver, officials said.
Witnesses said, The limo was speeding when it smashed.
“I heard a loud bang, [and] I came out my front door to see what was going on,” resident Bridey Finnagen told local ABC affiliate News 10. “I saw a lot of people here at the Apple Barrel out in the parking lot. Then I heard screaming.
“Then I saw this large van, a very unusual looking vehicle out here in Schoharie, in the bushes and really wrecked, hit a tree,” she continued.
The Times Union reported that, The crash kicked off a huge emergency response that included six ambulances, three fire companies and two helicopters.
“The first responders broke some windows [on the vehicles] to try to get people out,” said Finnegan. “I believe the Jaws of Life were here on the side of one of the fire trucks.”
State police confirmed the deaths of 20 people at the scene, but would not provide any other details pending a 3 p.m. news conference, NY Post reported.
The names of the deceased were not immediately released as state police worked through notifying their next-of-kin in the wake of the massive smash-up.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are en route to investigate one of the deadliest vehicular accidents the region has seen in years, NY Post reported.
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Limo crash killed 4 sisters, aunt says (Picture: NY Post)
Robert and Mary Dyson were also killed in the deadly crash
