Five killed in New York state tourist bus crash

Five passengers aboard a tourist bus were killed on Friday when their driver got distracted and crashed on a New York state highway, police said.

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The wreck happened 40 kilometres east of Buffalo as the tourists headed back to New York City after visiting Niagara Falls.

The passengers were of Indian, Chinese and Filipino origin, authorities said.

"It's believed the operator became distracted, lost control, over corrected and ended up... over there," said New York state police commander major Andre Ray at the scene on Friday evening, giving the toll for the first time.

No one else was in a life-threatening condition, Ray said. Several passengers received medical treatment and were released.