In a devastating turn of events, a vehicle heading rapidly towards a U.S.-Canada bridge from the American side collided and exploded at a checkpoint on Wednesday, November 22.
This unfortunate incident resulted in the loss of two lives and prompted the temporary closure of several border crossings. Authorities, who are unsure about the cause of the crash, emphasized that there were no indications of it being a terrorist attack. The Buffalo office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), concluding its investigation on Wednesday, stated, “Upon examining the scene, no explosive materials were found, and there is no evidence linking the incident to terrorism.”
The case was transferred to the Niagara falls police Department, which treated it as a traffic investigation. Numerous uncertainties encompassed the incident that occurred at the Rainbow Bridge, leading to concerns on both sides of the border as the United States was approaching the Thanksgiving holiday. U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were swiftly provided with a briefing, during which Trudeau took his leave from the Question Period to gather more pertinent information, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Subsequently, Governor Kathy Hochul and U.S. Attorney Trini Ross took to addressing the public to ease any anxieties. Hochul asserted, ‘Based on the information available to us currently, there are no indications of terrorist activity involved in this collision.’ Erie County Sheriff John Garcia, in a separate news conference, sought to reassure the local community, affirming that ‘We can resume our daily lives.’ Footage captured by security cameras, released by the U.S. government, depicted the vehicle involved in the incident speeding through an intersection, colliding with a median, soaring into the air within a U.S. Customs and Border Protection area, and ultimately crashing beyond the view of the camera into booths. Rickie Wilson, a tour guide in Niagara Falls, was in the vicinity of his parked car when he observed an object in the atmosphere.
He initially presumed it to be an aircraft, appearing to move in slow motion,” he recalled. “I said, ‘My God, it’s a car. It’s a vehicle, and it’s flying through the air.’” The identities of those present in the car were not revealed. Governor Hochul expressed uncertainty regarding whether the driver, a resident of western New York, had intentionally aimed for the bridge spanning the Niagara River. According to an undisclosed source briefed on the investigation, the two individuals who tragically lost their lives were recognized as a married couple. FBI Special Agent in Charge in Buffalo, Matthew Miraglia, provided a report stating that no derogatory information had been discovered about the driver. He mentioned, “We are actively monitoring his social media accounts and have found no incriminating evidence.”
On Wednesday night, Senator Chuck Schumer, who had been in contact with both the FBI and the White House, reassured the public by stating that investigators have found “absolutely no ties to any terrorist or criminal organization.” Examination of swabs collected from the scene yielded no indication of chemicals or substances typically associated with explosive devices. According to officials, the vehicle approached the bridge in downtown Niagara Falls at approximately 11:30 a.m., attaining a significant speed in an area inhabited by hotels and a casino. Governor Hochul provided details about the aftermath, mentioning that the car was completely burned, leaving only the engine intact. The explosion resulted in debris being scattered across multiple checkpoint booths.
The governor, a member of the Democratic party, expressed the surreal nature of the incident as captured in videos of the car being airborne. Images shared on social media depicted thick smoke, flames on the pavement, and a burnt security booth. A Customs and Border Protection worker from a checkpoint booth received minor injuries and was treated at a hospital before being discharged, as stated by Hochul. Melissa Raffalow, who was observing from Niagara Falls State Park, witnessed a substantial plume of black smoke emerging near the border crossing, a mere 50 yards away from the well-known tourist attraction. Raffalow further noted that law enforcement promptly responded to the scene and directed visitors to disperse as they established a restricted zone.
Meanwhile, Raghu Bhattarai, inside his restaurant, the Niagara Tandoori Hut, near the bridge, recounted hearing a “boom” followed by black smoke rising a few minutes later. The Rainbow Bridge, renowned for its awe-inspiring views of the falls, as well as three other bridges that connect western New York and Ontario, were promptly closed as a precautionary measure. However, the other three bridges were eventually reopened. Stringent security checks were conducted on all vehicles at the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport, resulting in delays and impacting the flow of traffic on one of the busiest travel days in the United States before Thanksgiving. Sanchit Chatha, accompanied by his wife Reyshu and their 13-year-old daughter Trisha, experienced disruptions during their trip from Buffalo to Toronto.
While stopping in Niagara Falls for lunch, they received news notifications regarding the explosion. Trisha, who was particularly concerned about the closures of the bridges to Canada, anxiously awaited updates as the family hoped to resume their journey. In light of this regrettable incident, both countries continue to maintain a high level of awareness, placing the safety of their citizens and travelers as the top priority.
