23 November 2023 , 10:37
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Key questions remain unanswered after a baffling crash at the US-Canada border sparked fears of a possible terror threat.
President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were both briefed on the incident when news of it emerged. In footage, a $300,000 Bentley can be seen leaving the road before hitting a fence and flying into the air. After the car hit the ground, it burst into flames killing both passengers inside.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the car ended up “basically incinerated,” with nothing left but the engine. Debris was scattered across a dozen checkpoint booths at the checkpoint at Rainbow Bridge.
Hochul described the footage of the incident - the car can be seen flying through the air - as "absolutely surreal." Hochul said it wasn’t clear whether the driver — a western New York resident — was intentionally heading for the bridge, which crosses the Niagara River.
Rickie Wilson, a Niagara Falls tour guide, was by his parked car nearby and turned around when he saw something in the air. “I first thought it was an airplane. It looked like slow motion,” he said. "I said, ‘My God, it’s a car. It’s a vehicle, and it’s flying through the air.’"
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New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the car ended up 'basically incinerated' (KathyHochul/X)Who was driving?
Currently, there is no ID on the driver, but he is reported to be a 56-year-old businessman from New York. The man from Grand Isle, New York, was driving in the car with his wife who was also killed.
Was it a terror incident?
The incident was not terror-related, despite concerns in early reports. Police in Toronto increased patrols as a precaution while the stretched New York Police Department manning the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was also alerted.
Fears of a possible attack may have been raised due to the crash's proximity to Niagara Falls, a popular tourist destination.
A sign indicates that all bridges between the US and Canada are closed (Getty Images)The FBI's Buffalo office said late Wednesday that it had concluded its investigation. "A search of the scene revealed no explosive materials, and no terrorism nexus was identified," it said in a statement. "The matter has been turned over to the Niagara Falls Police Department as a traffic investigation."
From inside Niagara Falls State Park, Melissa Raffalow said she saw “a huge plume of black smoke” rise up over the border crossing, roughly 50 yards (45 meters) away from the popular tourist destination. Raffalow said in a message that police arrived soon after, urging visitors to disperse as they began cordoning off the street.
Footage shows the moment the car was sent flying at the border checkpoint (CBP/Twitter)Why did the car crash?
It is not clear why the car crashed, but there is soe speculation that it may have been caused by the driver suffering a medical issue. This has not been confirmed and the crash remains under investigation.
Rickie Wilson, a Niagara Falls tour guide, was by his parked car nearby and turned around when he saw something in the air. “I first thought it was an airplane. It looked like slow motion,” he said. "I said, ‘My God, it’s a car. It’s a vehicle, and it’s flying through the air.’"
Photos show the destroyed border post (Getty Images)What were the couple doing?
Reports indicate the couple was hoping to drive over the border into Canada and attend a Kiss concert that was later cancelled when a band member pulled out with the flu. The couple had visited Seneca Casino before the crash.
"We are cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation into the incident that occurred near the Rainbow Bridge," a spokesperson for the casino told the Mail. "We have reviewed and provided information related to a vehicle that stopped at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino only for a matter of minutes shortly before the crash occurred."
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