Photos: Aftermath after vehicle crashes, explodes at Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls
Two people died in a vehicle that exploded on the American side of the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls late Wednesday morning, a federal law enforcement source said, prompting the closure of all four Niagara region bridges between the United States and Canada.
The Rainbow Bridge to Canada in Niagara Falls as law enforcement from multiple agencies assemble to investigate after a car crashed and exploded within the customs plaza, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
A heavily armed Niagara Falls Police officer directs tourists in Niagara Falls away from the Rainbow Bridge after a car crashed and exploded within the customs plaza, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
Law enforcement barricade the entrance to the Rainbow Bridge to Canada in Niagara Falls after a car crashed and exploded within the customs plaza, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
A view of the debris field inside the customs plaza at the Rainbow Bridge to Canada in Niagara Falls after a car crashed and exploded within the plaza on Wednesday. Both occupants of the car died.
LEFT: A view of the debris field inside the customs plaza at the Rainbow Bridge to Canada in Niagara Falls after a car crashed and exploded within the plaza on Wednesday. Both occupants of the car died. RIGHT: Fire damage is visible at a structure in the customs plaza at the Rainbow Bridge to Canada in Niagara Falls after a car crashed and exploded there Wednesday.
The customs plaza is closed at the Rainbow Bridge to Canada in Niagara Falls after a car crashed and exploded within the plaza, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
Fire damage is visible at a structure in the customs plaza at the Rainbow Bridge to Canada in Niagara Falls after a car crashed and exploded within the plaza, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
Law enforcement barricade the entrance to the Rainbow Bridge to Canada in Niagara Falls after a car crashed and exploded within the customs plaza, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
The customs plaza is closed at the Rainbow Bridge to Canada in Niagara Falls, after a car crashed and exploded within the plaza, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
Law enforcement barricade the entrance to the Rainbow Bridge to Canada in Niagara Falls after a car crashed and exploded within the customs plaza, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
A Niagara Falls Police officer mans a barricade at the entrance to the Rainbow Bridge to Canada in Niagara Falls after a car crashed and exploded within the customs plaza, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
Wreckage inside the customs plaza at the Rainbow Bridge to Canada in Niagara Falls after a car crashed and exploded within the plaza, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
Law enforcement agents block the entrance to the Rainbow Bridge to Canada in Niagara Falls after a car crashed and exploded within the customs plaza, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
Eyewitness Rickie Wilson describes what he saw to members of the news media outside the Rainbow Bridge to Canada in Niagara Falls after a car crashed into the customs plaza, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
Law enforcement officers park an armored vehicle at a barricade outside the entrance to the Rainbow Bridge to Canada in Niagara Falls after a car crashed and exploded inside the customs plaza, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
State Police block traffic on Main Street in Niagara Falls near the entrance to the Rainbow Bridge to Canada after a car crashed and exploded within the customs plaza, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
Law enforcement officers park an armored vehicle at a barricade outside the entrance to the Rainbow Bridge to Canada in Niagara Falls after an car crashed and exploded inside the customs plaza, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
A Niagara Falls Police officer directs tourists away from the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, N.Y. after a car crashed and exploded within the customs plaza, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
A Niagara Falls Police officer directs tourists away from the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls after a car crashed and exploded within the customs plaza, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
Law enforcement officers park an armored vehicle at a barricade outside the entrance to the Rainbow Bridge to Canada in Niagara Falls after a car crashed and exploded inside the customs plaza, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
A car that crashed and exploded Wednesday morning on the American side of the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, killing two people, does not appear to be an act of terrorism, Gov. Kathy Hochul said during a news conference.
"There is no sign of terrorist activity with respect to this crash. We have identified that this is a local individual," she said.
The occupants of the fast-moving car that went airborne over an 8-foot fence and crashed and exploded at the American side of the Rainbow Bridge on Wednesday appear to have stopped at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino just before the fatal crash.
"In my 40-year career covering the local media, I’m not sure there has been a more disastrous day of radio coverage," Pergament writes.