Federal official calls NY limo crash 'most deadly transportation accident' since 2009

WASHINGTON (SBG) — State and federal authorities gave updates Sunday afternoon on a fatal crash involving a limousine in upstate New York. You can watch the briefing below.

State police reported Sunday morning 20 died in the crash in Schoharie, N.Y. as the 2001 Ford Excursion limo drove through a stop sign. 18 victims were limousine passengers and two were pedestrians. Everyone in the limo was killed.

Many details are not yet available as the investigation is ongoing. Officials would not share any information on the victims because they are still in the process of notifying family. They were also unable to discuss where the limo came from, where it was going or the name of the limo company.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is on the scene conducting an investigation. The NTSB works to determine how and why an accident occurred by studying vehicle factors, road conditions, the driver or drivers involved, survival factors and other variables. After investigation and analysis the NTSB issues safety recommendations.

"This is one of the biggest losses of life we've seen in a long, long time," said NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt. "This is the most deadly transportation accident in this country since February of 2009."

The NTSB and New York State Police will release more details as the investigation progresses.

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