At least 5 killed in New York road accident

At least 5 killed in New York road accident

2011-07-20 07:57:57 GMT+7 (ICT)

BENTON, NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) -- At least five people were killed and another 10 were injured in a vehicle accident involving a tractor in New York, officials said Tuesday.

According to Yates County Sheriff Ronald Spike, the incident occurred at around 12:45 p.m. local time, when a vehicle tried to pass a tractor, but collided head on with a van carrying 14 adult Amish farmers, which was driven into and then underneath the tractor, Democrat and Chronicle reported.

Spike said the accident occurred when the vehicle tried passing the heavy, slow-moving tractor on a curve within a no passing zone going northbound on Pre-Emption Road in Benton, Yates County, New York. Of the 14 Amish people in the van, five lost their lives and eight others were injured. Two other people were injured, including the driver of the other car and the driver of the tractor.

The road has been closed down as officials investigate the case. Spike noted that Amish carry little identification with them, but reports indicated they were from the towns of Jasper and Woodhull in Steuben County, near Bath and were traveling north for an "excursion of different farm operations."

Seven of the injured were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital, as hospital officials said they were still evaluating the health condition of one, adding that four were in guarded condition.

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