‘No sign of terrorist activity’ in fatal Rainbow Bridge vehicle explosion: NY State Governor | CityNews Calgary
In an replace Wednesday night time New York State Governor, Kathy Hochul, mentioned there’s no indication up to now that the deadly automobile explosion on the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls was an act of terror.
“Based on what we know at this moment … there is no sign of terrorist activity with respect to this crash,” Hochul pressured.
Two individuals who had been within the automobile that burst into flames on the border crossing earlier than 11:30 a.m. Wednesday morning are useless, authorities earlier confirmed.
The blast, which one eyewitness mentioned occurred after a dashing automobile misplaced management on the U.S. aspect of the border, prompted the closure of all 4 worldwide bridges between Canada and Western New York.
The Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, Peace Bridge, and Whirlpool Bridge have since reopened.
The Rainbow Bridge stays closed.
Hochul mentioned the automobile was driver by a neighborhood Western New Yorker, however the motive it sped to its fiery obliteration continues to be not recognized.
“It crashed into a customs and border patrol booth and the car and the booth immediately exploded,” she mentioned. “I saw the video of an airborne vehicle, it was absolutely surreal.”
A border officer was taken to hospital with minor accidents, however has since been launched.
Hochul mentioned the automobile was virtually solely incinerated, with solely elements of the engine left behind.
FBI Investigating
In a social media submit, the FBI Buffalo Field Office mentioned it was investigating the scenario, which it referred to as “fluid.”
“The FBI is coordinating with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in this investigation. As this situation is very fluid, that’s all we can say at this time.”
Witness Mike Guenther advised WGRZ-TV that he noticed a automobile racing towards the crossing from the U.S. aspect. The automobile swerved to keep away from one other automobile earlier than crashing right into a fence, flying into the air, and exploding in dramatic vogue, he recounted.
“All of a sudden he went up in the air and then it was a ball of fire like 30 or 40 feet high,” Guenther mentioned. “I never saw anything like it.”
“It was just a fireball and smoke everywhere.”
Guenther mentioned the automobile was driving at extreme speeds, swerving and “fish tailing” earlier than the crash.
“He was flying over 100 miles an hour,” he defined.
Videos posted to social media present flames and heavy smoke close to a safety check-point sales space.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford issued an announcement saying: “Our provincial law enforcement is actively engaged in assessing the situation. They are working with local law enforcement and are providing support as required.”
Toronto police, in the meantime, say they’re growing their presence within the metropolis, whereas Peel police have been deployed to Pearson Airport as a precaution.
With recordsdata from The Associated Press
