'Married couple' died in horror car explosion on Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls
A New York married couple died in a car that exploded on Rainbow Bridge at the US-Canada border crossing, according to reports.
The Bentley crashed on the road near Niagara Falls after hitting the curb and soaring through the air before crashing to the ground and becoming consumed by fire. The FBI and police have now said they see no link to terrorism.
It is believed the car’s driver was on his way to a KISS concert in Canada. But, as it was cancelled, decided to head to an American diner instead. A couple then reportedly left the establishment in the car in question before the Bentley crashed at 11.30 am.
Washington DC was made aware of the incident in the late morning of Wednesday, 24 November, after the incident shocked witnesses on the US side of the Rainbow Bridge crossing. The car, believed to be traveling at 100mph shocked bystanders who said they saw flames shoot 40 feet in the air.
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The Rainbow Bridge over the Niagara River (China News Service via Getty Images)The FBI has found no evidence of terrorism, and no explosives were found at the scene, according to the Buffalo field office announcement. The case has subsequently been transferred to local law enforcement officers.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said: “I want to be very, very clear to Americans and New Yorkers: At this time there is no indication of a terrorist attack. Two individuals died in the vehicle.” Hochul also noted the Bentley was associated with a New York resident, who is yet to be publicly identified by officials. Police need confirmation of identity from the couple’s next of kin according to Niagara Falls Police Department Superintendent John Faso.
It is believed the car’s driver was on his way to a KISS concert in Canada (WKBW)Witness Mike Guenther said he saw a vehicle speeding toward the crossing from the US side of the border when it swerved to avoid another car, crashed into a fence and exploded. He told WGRZ-TV: "All of a sudden he went up in the air and then it was a ball of like 30 or 40 feet high. I never saw anything like it." Ivan Vitalii, a Ukrainian visiting Niagara Falls, told The Niagara Gazette that he and a friend were near the bridge when they "heard something smash. We saw fire and big, black smoke."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in Parliament: "This is obviously a very serious situation in Niagara Falls. We are taking this extraordinarily seriously."
Three other bridges between western New York and Ontario were quickly closed as a precaution, and the began security checks on all cars and told passengers to expect additional screenings. This all took place on the busiest travel days of the year, the week of Thanksgiving, while pressure was already mounting on inundated travel providers. Multiple checkpoints were scattered with incinerated parts from the wrecked car, and one booth operator was treated for minor injuries.
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