Wellsburg, New York — A youth hayride in upstate New York turned into a chaotic scene Sunday afternoon after a tractor pulling a wagon carrying 19 people overturned, ejecting riders and leaving at least 14 people injured, including three who were critically hurt.

The crash happened around 4:30 p.m. on Comfort Hill Road in Wellsburg, a small village near the Pennsylvania border, during a weekly youth gathering, according to authorities and local reports.

Most of the people riding the hay wagon were believed to be children.

Tractor Lost Control While Making a Turn

The tractor, a John Deere, was traveling along Comfort Hill Road toward Berwick Turnpike when the driver attempted to make a turn at an intersection. Chemung County Sheriff Bill Schrom said the tractor was traveling too fast while approaching the turn.

The vehicle appeared to lose control as it moved toward the intersection. The driver then swerved to the right, causing the tractor to overturn. The wagon subsequently disconnected from the tractor, and everyone riding on the wagon was ejected, according to Schrom.

The violent crash sent emergency crews rushing to the scene as multiple people required medical attention.

14 People Were Injured

Authorities said at least 14 people were injured in the crash. One person was airlifted to a hospital, while at least five others were transported by ambulance to Robert Packer Hospital.

Another eight people were taken to the hospital by private transportation. Among those injured, three people were listed in critical condition.

Authorities have not released a complete breakdown of the victims’ ages, so it remains unclear exactly how many of those injured were children. However, witnesses reported that most of the hayride passengers were kids.

The number of people on board also underscores the scale of the accident, with 19 riders traveling together when the tractor and wagon overturned.

Youth Gathering Was Underway

The group involved in the hayride was reportedly made up of German Baptists, a religious Anabaptist community. The group had gathered Sunday for a youth outing when the hayride crash occurred.

The gathering was intended to be a recreational event, but the tractor accident quickly turned the outing into a major emergency response.

The circumstances surrounding the gathering and the crash are now being examined by investigators as authorities work to determine exactly what happened before the tractor lost control.

Investigation Into the Crash Is Ongoing

Officials have not yet determined all of the factors that contributed to the accident. Authorities are investigating the tractor’s speed, the turn where the crash occurred and other circumstances surrounding the vehicle’s operation.

Sheriff Schrom said investigators are working to establish what led to the tractor losing control and overturning.

The investigation is expected to examine the condition and operation of the tractor and wagon, the roadway and the events immediately before the crash.

Georgia Dinner Ends in Arrest After Man Allegedly Uses Fake 911 Emergency to Avoid Paying

No final determination has been made about what caused the accident.

Community Awaits More Information

The crash has left multiple families dealing with serious injuries following what had been planned as a youth gathering.

With three people critically injured and at least 11 others also hurt, authorities are continuing to gather information about the incident.

The full extent of the injuries and the identities of those involved have not been publicly detailed in the available reports. Investigators are expected to provide additional information as the inquiry continues.

For now, the focus remains on those injured in the crash and determining exactly how a routine hayride ended with a tractor overturning and riders being thrown from the wagon.

What do you think about this tragic hayride accident in Wellsburg? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation about what may have led to the crash.