WAWAYANDA, N.Y. (TND) — A bus carrying 40 students and four adults from a New York high school was involved in a deadly rollover crash Thursday.

State Police said the bus wrecked along Interstate 84 in Wawayanda just before 1:15 p.m., killing two people, including 43-year-old Gina Pellettiere, of Massapequa, and 77-year-old Beatrice Ferarri, of Farmingdale.

At least five others were seriously hurt. They remain in critical condition.

Their identities were not immediately known.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families at this time," Lt. Col. Richard Mazzone said.

More than 40 people were taken to six area hospitals, county fire officials noted on social media.

Today was a day of terror," Gov. Kathy Hochul said during a news conference, adding that the bus tumbled down a 50-foot ravine.Imagine the fear, the screams, and the aftermath when these high school students -- many of them freshmen -- were surrounded by this chaos," she said. "But they endured. They were strong."

The governor said a preliminary investigation indicates a faulty front tire "likely" contributed to the crash.

The bus belongs to Farmingdale High School in Nassau County.

School officials said they were informed of the crash when the bus was on its way to Greeley, Pennsylvania for a band camp.

Photos showed authorities and first responders at the scene.

Aerial footage of the scene showed a wrecked charter bus on its side.

I’m monitoring the reports of this bus crash, and I’m praying for the students, passengers, families, and everyone involved," New York Sen. Chuck Schumer said in a Facebook post. "We thank all of our first responders on the scene."

Hochul shared similar sentiments.

Our hearts are with all who are impacted by this horrific situation," she said.

______

EDITOR'S NOTE: The National Desk's Jessica A. Botelho contributed to this report.

ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7zZqroqeeYsSwvsudZputo2Kyr3nRqKytnV2pvG6uwKebZpuRor1uvs6lo6xln6uys3nIp2SepZKWu6y5xKerZpmcpLuoec2ermaxn6e4brTIoJ%2BwmalivLOtzaCcZpufqru1xYyfmKulmaO0pa3LnmShoZederSvx6impWWelsC0rdRmmqitnqnGbrPRnpylnalivaa6zaywpa6Ro7ai