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NEW YORK, U.S. – In a tragic accident that is said to have caused one of the biggest losses of life in the U.S. in a long time, a Limousine carrying a wedding party crashed in New York State on Saturday. 

The New York State Police revealed details of the horrific crash at a press conference on Sunday afternoon and revealed that the crash occurred just before 2 pm on Saturday.

New York State Police First Deputy Superintendent Christopher Fiore told reporters that the Limousine, a 2001 Ford Excursion, failed to stop at an intersection on State Route 30 and State Route 30A.

The State Police said that the vehicle was traveling at about 50 mph in the town of Schoharie, when it crashed into an unoccupied Toyota Highlander in a parking lot of a local country store.

The horrific incident, which took place about 25 miles west of the state Capitol of Albany, unfolded right in front of the Apple Barrel Country Store and Cafe in Schoharie.

First deputy superintendent Fiore revealed that after being rammed by the Limousine, the unoccupied 2015 Toyota Highlander struck two bystanders, who were killed in the incident. 

He further added, “Everyone inside the limousine was killed,” adding that the vehicle had been carrying 18 people that were part of a wedding party.

The State Police have confirmed that all the 20 people who lost their lives in the incident were adults.

Officials also pointed out that they were withholding the names of the victims for now, since the next of kin were being notified.

Meanwhile, the State Police said that the crash site was cordoned off for several hours as emergency services and forensic teams were mobilized. 

All the roads surrounding the crash site in Schoharie County remained closed as response teams dealt with the wreckage from the accident, which was the region’s deadliest in several years.

The New York State Police said that they worked through the night to reconstruct the crash, and were assisted by the Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office.

Further, officials said that at least six ambulances, two helicopter units and three fire companies had responded to the horrific accident. 

The victims were reportedly transported to the Albany Medical Center and officials said that autopsies are scheduled to be conducted.

‘Unspeakable sorrow’

On Sunday, some town locals, who had witnessed the tragedy unfold right in front of their eyes less than 24 hours back, expressed horror as they recalled the shrieks emerging from within the Limousine after it rammed the Toyota Highlander in the parking lot. 

Describing America’s deadliest ground-traffic accidents in years, Linda Riley, an eyewitness who was at the store car park when the incident took place, said in an interview with WNYT NewsChannel 13, “The crash sounded like an explosion.”

The report quoted another witness Bridey Finegan as saying, “I heard some screaming. It looked serious because people were running back and forth.”

Meanwhile, commenting on the accident that occurred near its entrance, the Apple Barrel Country posted a condolence message on its Facebook page.

The store said in its message, “Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone that was affected by the events. We will be collecting donations for our local volunteer emergency services. They are the heroes of our small community.”

Further, speaking to local reporters, Jessica Kirby, whose family owns the Apple Barrel store said, “Tractor trailers have come down the hill before and actually come across the parking lot, during store hours when somebody could’ve been killed. If you were going too fast and you’re not familiar with the area, you won’t know it’s a stop at the end of a steep hill.”

She added, “Our family definitely welcomes anyone from (State Department of Transportation) or the NTSB to stop by who would like to speak with us.”

Kirby also said, “Once the victim’s families have had time to cope and grieve we will do whatever we are able to do to assist them.”

Expressing her sorrow, Amy Dunlop-Johnson told reporters that three members of her family had died in the crash. 

Dunlop-Johnson disputed some media reports that stated the group traveling in the Limousine was a wedding party.

She revealed that the group had been on a popular fall tourist path in the town and was being driven between wineries in the area. 

Dunlop-Johnson said that three of her family members, including her cousins Richie and Axel Steenburg, and cousin-in-law Amy Steenburg, were inside the Limousine and were killed in the tragic crash.

A report in the Associated Press quoted another relative of one of the victims are expressing her shock at the tragic incident. 

Valerie Abeling was quoted as saying that her niece, Erin Vertucci (34) was headed to a birthday celebration along with her husband, Shane McGowan, 30, when the accident took place.

She pointed out that her relatives were newlyweds.

Abeling also revealed that her daughter, who had been invited to attend the birthday celebration, decided to give it a miss, adding, “Our lives have been changed forever.”

Meanwhile, a report in ABC News quoted Barbara Douglas as saying that she lost four of her relatives in the tragedy.

Douglas said that her nieces were headed to a surprise birthday party for her youngest niece, and said, “I had four nieces. They are all dead. They were in there.”

On Sunday, residents and local reporters swarmed the area around the crash site, where tracks and skid marks could be seen tracing the path of the vehicle, which led it to its deadly fate. 

Even the wreckage could be seen around the area on Sunday, as several people snapped images of the crash site, to post on social media sites.

‘Biggest loss of life’

On Sunday morning, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that it had launched an investigation into the crash.

The NTSB, an independent agency tasked by the U.S. government to investigative civil transportation disasters, said in a tweet that it was sending a “go-team” to investigate.

Later in the day, addressing the press conference alongside the New York State Police, Robert Sumwalt, Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said, “I’ve been on the board for 12 years and this is one of the biggest losses of life that we’ve seen in a long, long time. Twenty fatalities is just horrific.”

Sumwalt also noted, “The NTSB is very concerned about the safety of our roadways. This is the most deadly transportation accident in this country since February 2009.”

The NTSB head was referring to the tragic incident involving a Colgan Air turboprop, that took place in Buffalo in 2009.

In that incident, the Colgan Air ploughed into a house, short of the runway in New York State’s second largest city, killing 50 people.

Multiple lines of inquiry 

The Federal agency chief also told reporters that the NTSB lead investigator Pete Kotowski was set to arrive at the crash site to initiate the probe on Sunday, and pointed out that the investigating team will be aiming at wrapping up the probe within five days.

Further, Sumwalt noted that both, the NTSB and the New York State Police, will conduct separate investigations into the incident, but will work together.

Meanwhile, commenting on the scope of the probe, the NTSB head said that the agency would be investigating a range of factors that could have contributed to the crash.

He indicated that road conditions, mechanical conditions of the limousine, and the emergency response would be included in the purview of the probe.

Sumwalt said, “We look at everything. We cast a very broad net to see what’s out there. We conduct very thorough investigations.”

Meanwhile, First deputy superintendent Fiore pointed out that the investigation by the New York State Police Department is focussed on multiple aspects.

Commenting on the possibility of conducting a toxicology test on the driver, Fiore said investigators are already pursuing the autopsy on the driver as a line of of inquiry. 

Adding that their probe is examining other factors too, including whether the driver and the passengers in the front seat were wearing seatbelts as required by the New York State law.

Fiore also announced that the State Police had set up a phone line for relatives of the victims and announced that “anyone looking for assistance can call: 1-877-672-4911.”

Meanwhile, later on Sunday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a statement mourning the victims.

Cuomo said, “My heart breaks for the 20 people who lost their lives in this horrific accident on Saturday in Schoharie. I join all New Yorkers in mourning these deaths and share in the unspeakable sorrow experienced by their families and loved ones during this extremely difficult time.”

He also lauded the efforts by first responders, who had remained at the site overnight. 

Cuomo added, “I commend the first responders who arrived on the scene and worked through the night to help. State police are working with federal and local authorities to investigate the crash, and I have directed state agencies to provide every resource necessary to aid in this investigation and determine what led to this tragedy.”

Further, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer too commented on the accident.

Schumer tweeted, “Heartbroken to learn of the terrible accident in Schoharie. May God bless the families who lost loved ones, as well as my dear friends from Schoharie emergency service agencies who responded.”