NEW YORK, NY – A towering Mexican naval ship on a promotional voyage through New York City’s East River met an unexpected and disastrous end Tuesday night. The ship’s masts, reaching skyward, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, causing widespread chaos and a significant emergency response.
The vessel, a training ship from the Mexican Navy, was traveling north when its masts were sheared off by the bridge’s underside, sending debris into the water and onto the ship’s deck. The incident occurred despite the ship being escorted by a tugboat, which appeared unable to prevent the backward drift that led to the collision.
Richard Jacobs, reporting amidst the unfolding drama, painted a picture of urgency and confusion as first responders worked to pull survivors from the river. The crash left at least three people critically injured, though precise details of the casualties remain scarce.
Eyewitness accounts, like that of Jack Cassidy who was at a nearby concert, described the surreal scene as the ship drifted ominously toward the bridge. Cassidy noted the ship seemed to be moving backward, detached from its tugboat, before the catastrophic impact. “It was like watching a slow-motion disaster,” he remarked, highlighting the eerie calm that followed the crash.
The Mexican Navy confirmed the ship’s damage, halting its journey, but has not provided specifics on the crew’s condition. The ship, flying Mexico’s national colors, was a striking presence on the river, and its collision with the bridge has sparked a flurry of activity and concern.
As rescue operations continue, there is speculation about the navigational choices leading to the accident. The bridge itself, a staple of New York’s skyline, remains structurally sound, though the incident underscores potential risks in the busy waterway.
Authorities are delving into the incident’s causes, examining whether navigational errors or mechanical failures played a role. Meanwhile, the city remains on alert as the rescue and recovery efforts proceed, with updates anticipated as more details emerge.