A commuter ferry has crashed into a dock in Manhattan on Wednesday Jan. 9 leaving at least 57 people injured, two of them critically.
CNN reported that the ferry crashed into a dock in Lower Manhattan at approximately 8:45 and emergency crew helped passengers on stretchers to ambulences.
The ferry, which is operated by Seastreak, goes daily from New Jersey and Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan and carries around 400 passengers at a time.
"There was a large jolt," said passenger Elizabeth Banta to CNN. "It felt like we were in a car crash. ... Several people were thrown into the air and onto the ground."
Seastreak said in a statement to CNN, "Our thoughts and prayers are with those that were injured."
Officials said to Reuters that two of the 57 injured were in critical condition with head injuries, while nine were in serious condition.
Reuters reported that the passengers had boarded the ferry at Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey.
"People who were standing up flew because of the impact," said passenger Brett Cebulash, 50, an attorney to Reuters."It was a normal morning, we were rolling into the dock and then they hit something. There was a sudden impact."
Jannette Sadik-Khan, New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner said that at the time the boat crashed it was traveling between 10 to 12 knots (11.5 to 14 mph).
In 2003 a Staten Island Ferry killed 11 people and injured dozens. IN May 2010 another crash occurred and injured approximately 40 people, reported Reuters.
"The ferry pilot in the 2003 crash and his supervisor were sentenced to more than a year in prison each for their roles in the accident. The pilot, Richard Smith, had passed out at the helm. He had taken painkillers the night before for a bad back," reported Reuters.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
