Soldier helps rescue passengers from burning bus in N.Y.

The bus pulled away from the shoulder at around 1:30 a.m. and was struck from the rear by the tractor-trailer, Koss said, adding that it was unclear how soon it was hit after it pulled into the driving lane. Koss said the bus had its emergency flashers on.

The crash killed the truck driver, 59-year-old Timothy Hume of Dryden, Mich., and injured about 30 of the bus’s 52 passengers, two seriously. Koss said the passengers were all from Ontario and ranged in age from 15 to 72.

“As soon as the bus was struck, it did ignite in flames, so I think there was a lot of quick thinking,’’ Koss said.

One of those who helped was Army Sergeant Jacob Perkins, a Fort Drum soldier who ran into the burning bus several times, Koss said.

“It says a lot about Sergeant Perkins and our people in the military, that he’s going to take action, and we’re very fortunate he did,’’ Koss said.

Police ticketed the bus driver, Rene Bisson, 52, of Welland, Ontario, because although he has a valid license in Canada, his New York license was suspended over two earlier speeding tickets, one in 2003 and one in 2006. Police said Bisson neglected to file paperwork to get his license reinstated after paying the speeding fines.

The bus was one of two chartered by London Life, an insurance company in London, Ontario, with employees, families, and friends onboard. The other bus was not involved in the crash.

Koss said the bus, manufactured in 2008, had been inspected within the past four to six weeks in Canada.

The bus was operated by Farr’s Coach Lines Ltd., a carrier based in Dunnville, Ont.

Dan Ronan, a spokesman for the American Bus Association, said the company had a satisfactory rating, the top of three grades, in its latest inspection.