In New York a commuter ferry carrying 343 people crashed into a dock slip injuring 57 people. Two were critically injured during the accident, others were seriously injured. One man suffered a serious head wound after falling down a stairwell as a result of the impact. The boat suffered structural damage in the form of a 4 foot hole in the starboard bow hull. Dale Connone of New Jersey stated "I heard a loud, horrible bang — metal against metal — and glass crashing.” Passengers were interviewed by investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and numerous reporters that were on the scene. Some described the event as chaotic, passengers standing on stairwells and near doors waiting to get off were flung forward. Bill McKenzie, a bond broker from New Jersey told reporters “There were bodies flying everywhere. You never are prepared for anything like this.” He was one of many who assisted the crew to help guide passengers off the boat after the incident.
Injuries ranged from minor bruises to concussions and head injuries. The injured passengers were taken to a variety of surrounding hospitals depending on the severity of their injuries. Most of the passengers were taken to New York Downtown Hospital and New York Presbyterian Hospital. Most of the passengers with minor injuries were taken to hospitals in Brooklyn. For two hours paramedics treated those who had suffered bruises and minor cuts. Emergency responders had to carry several patients off the ferry on flat-board stretchers and others were transported to ambulances in wheelchairs.
James Barker, the chairman of SeaStreak LLC, the ferry’s owner, vows the priority continues to be with the people who are injured. He also notes that the company is being fully cooperative with the investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board. The cause of the crash is still unknown.
If you have been injured or believe you are victim of the accident, our team of professionals are available for consultations.
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