Limousine crash kills 20 in US road tragedy

Reports say car sped down a hill and hit bystanders

Twenty people have died following a collision between a limousine and another vehicle at a tourist location in upstate New York.

Eighteen of the victims were in the limousine, with the other two deceased being bystanders.

Reports from The Times Union of Albany newspaper suggested a limo sped down a hill and crashed into bystanders at the Apple Barrel Country Store in Schoharie, about 170 miles north of New York City on Saturday.

The store is a popular spot for people looking at autumn leaves.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.

Yesterday, police revealed the death total but said names of the victims would not be released until family members were notified.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, the Apple Barrel Country Store thanked emergency officials for their actions in the aftermath of the “horrific” accident. Yesterday the store posted that it was open “and could use your hugs”.

Witnesses on Saturday described chaos, with a massive turnout of ambulances and other responders.

Liz Gallup, who works at the store, said she’d been told the limo ended up in a deep ditch along the side of the road.

“I didn’t witness the incident but the community is in shock,” she said.

“This is a wonderful, small-knit community of people who care about each other. People are coming in, they are hugging, they are sharing and they want to know that we are okay.”

Bridey Finegan, of Schoharie, said: “I heard some screaming. It looked serious because people were running back and forth.”

Picture: AP. Emergency vehicles at the scene in upstate New York after a limousine crashed into another vehicle.