Twenty people have been confirmed killed by state police after a speeding limousine crashed into pedestrians near a crowded tourist spot in upstate New York.

The limousine was carrying a wedding party when it collided with another vehicle outside the Apple Barrel Country Store in Schoharie (skoh-HAY’-ree), NY, on Saturday afternoon, according to local reports.

A man who arrived at the crash scene Sunday said the group was traveling south to a wedding reception when the limo sped through an intersection and slammed into an embankment @shugheswrites https://t.co/WszVs9CVfJ

— Times Union (@timesunion) 7 October 2018

Police say 18 of the victims were in the limousine, while the remaining two were bystanders. The Apple Barrel's parking lot, a popular spot for autumn leaf-peepers, was filled with people and parked cars at the time of the crash.

State police said in a statement that “the names of the victims are not being released at this time as next of kin are being notified,” and a news conference is planned for Sunday afternoon.

In a note posted to its Facebook page, Apple Barrel said it would remain open on Sunday and would be collecting donations for volunteer services who first responded to the crash.

State Police have confirmed 20 people died in a limo crash in Schoharie County Saturday pic.twitter.com/j5i4HzPJFM

— ExtraNews24h (@ExtraNews24h) 7 October 2018

“Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone that was affected by the events of today,” the post said, adding that “You will always be part of our family.”

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which investigates all major civilian transportation accidents, said that it had sent a “go-team” to the crash site to assist with investigations.

The disaster is one of the worst fatal car accidents in recent memory in the area and the worst transportation disaster to hit the Capital Region since the 2005 sinking of the Ethan Allen tour boat on Lake George, NY, which also killed 20 people.

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