Gov. Kathy Hochul extended her gratitude from across the state to the more than 200 first responders who saved dozens of lives last month when a bus carrying Farmingdale High School students rolled over in Orange County.

"You'll say you're just doing your jobs, that anyone else would have done it, but courage is a choice," said Hochul.

On Thursday, Sept. 21, a charter bus carrying more than 40 people tumbled down a 50 foot ravine on Interstate 84 near Middletown on the way to an annual band camp in Pennsylvania.

Two adults, Gina Pellettiere, 43 and Beatrice Ferrari, 77 were both killed and dozens of students were injured, many severely - but all survived.

Hochul said the first responders' bravery and quick action saved lives.

"All the agencies and representatives that worked together with one common goal and that was to help the students, the faculty, and everyone that was involved in the incident," said Orange County Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner Vini Tankasali.

Investigators said a failure with one of the front tires may have been a contributing factor to the accident but the investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board is ongoing.

Hochul recognized several local organizations including the Orange County Sheriff's Office, Orange County District Attorney's Office, multiple EMS responders, police departments from Middletown, Goshen, Port Jervis, Wallkill, and Monroe police departments and fire departments from Johnson, Mechanicstown, Mountain View, New Hampton, Silver Lake, Slate Hill, and Westfall.