A fully boarded Andrew J. Barberi Staten Island ferry crashed into the dock at St. George Saturday around 9: 18 am, injuring at least 60 people and triggering a massive emergency response, as immediately ambulances swarmed the terminal to treat the passengers onboard.
Eyewitnesses say several people can be seen laying on stretchers, while others are in wheelchairs and are being administered oxygen at the dock. This was the same Ferry that ran a ground in 2003, killing 11 people.
"It was a worse impact that a car crash," said Alicia Eason, 26, a tourist from Tennessee who was on the ferry. "It felt like an earthquake.
"People were tossed everywhere," said Eason, who had been enjoying the ferry's stunning views in the moments before the horrific crash.
"We had less than two seconds warning. The boat was underneath the dock when it hit."
New York police initially said 14 people were rushed to area hospitals and their injuries were not considered life-threatening. Many more victims were being treated at the terminal.
The ferry boat was carrying 252 passengers on board with 18 crew members. The injury count is at 60 with 10 being seriously injured. The reason for the crash still remained unclear though several passengers said the boat was speeding up to fast when it was approaching the dock. Saturday's crash had disrupted ferry services for several hours.
