A tour bus carrying a Canadian dance group crashed into scaffolding at a Hells Kitchen homeless shelter, authorities said.
The private tour bus operated by Optimum Rides, veered off the road and into the scaffolding at the Covenant House on West 42nd Street and 10th Avenue at 8:10 a.m. causing debris to rain down on the bus, officials said.
All 44 people were evacuated from the bus and only one passenger suffered minor injuries.
The dance troupe had been on a 14-hour ride and were coming into New York for a dance competition they were set to perform in on Friday, members of the crew to the Post.
The Dance Zone Studio from New Brunswick are scheduled to participate in the Tremaine dance convention at the Grande Hyatt on 42nd Street.
They were going to Carlo’s Bakery when the bus hit a pothole and veered off the road.
“We hit a pothole and it felt like something broke under the bus,” Lisa Rumson-Harrity,40, a mother of one of the dance members said.
“Everybody was terrified. Everything fell on top of the bus [from the scaffolding,]” she added.
“I was afraid for my children. My daughter was right next to me. She was screaming and crying, horrified,” she explained.
The tour bus had about 20 children on board ranging from ages 9 to 16, who were accompanied by adult chaperones, coaches and family members.
Maureen Pappas,46, said the driver did a good job and said the accident could have been a lot worse.
“The driver did a good job and if he wasn’t working, the accident could have been worse,” she explained.
An eye-witness said the accident was caused by a pothole.
“I believe the pothole was the reason for the accident. It has been there for over a year and they always come and do a quick fix and never do a permanent job on it,” said Manny Suarez.
With additional reporting by Adelaide Turton.