A Sunday afternoon hayride turned into a terrifying emergency in upstate New York after a tractor carrying about 19 people, most of them children, went out of control and overturned.
At least 14 people were injured in the Oct. 4 crash in Wellsburg, near the New York-Pennsylvania border, according to the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office.
Three people were reported in critical condition.
The crash happened shortly after 4:30 p.m. near Berwick Turnpike and Comfort Hill Road as the group was taking part in a hayride following church services.
Chemung County Sheriff William Schrom said deputies saw the John Deere tractor traveling downhill at what appeared to be a high rate of speed while pulling a wagon filled with passengers.
Investigators believe the driver may have been struggling to control the tractor for some distance before reaching the intersection.
As the tractor reached the bottom of the hill, the driver attempted to make a turn.
The tractor began to roll, separated from the trailer and ultimately came to rest near a tree.
The wagon continued moving after becoming detached, and passengers were thrown from it.
Schrom said everyone riding in the trailer was ejected during the crash.
The tractor driver was also badly hurt.
Authorities said the tractor rolled for roughly 50 yards while dragging the driver before finally stopping.
The driver was later airlifted to Upstate University Hospital in critical condition.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene and treated approximately 14 people there.
At least five victims were transported by ambulance to Robert Packer Hospital, while others were taken to hospitals by family members or friends.
Officials said three people suffered critical injuries.
Most of the people riding in the wagon were children or teenagers.
The group was part of a German Baptist community that had gathered after Sunday church services and decided to take an afternoon hayride.
Investigators are now focusing on a possible mechanical failure.
Schrom said authorities discovered that at least one of the tractor’s brakes appeared to have been badly damaged.
“We do know at least one of the brakes on one of the sides of the tractor was significantly burnt up,” the sheriff said.
Authorities have not yet determined whether the suspected brake problem caused the crash.
Investigators are expected to examine the tractor, trailer, hitch system and braking components as they work to determine exactly what went wrong.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene after the rollover.
A Wellsburg resident told The New York Times that children’s belongings were scattered across the area following the crash, underscoring the force of the impact.
The intersection where the accident occurred remained a focus of the investigation as deputies worked to reconstruct the tractor’s path down the hill.
No deaths had been reported as of Monday morning.
The identities and ages of those injured have not been publicly released.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are expected to release additional information as they determine whether mechanical failure, speed or other factors contributed to the crash.
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