Staten Island Ferry Crashes Into Terminal, Up To 60 Possibly Injured

Early this morning, a ferry boat crashed into a pier at the Staten Island Ferry terminal, injuring 60 people. NY1 reports at least ten major injuries, and the The New York Fire and Police Departments are looking into the as yet unknown cause of the crash. The total material damage of the crash is also still being assessed.

From the Washington Post:

Authorities say a Staten Island Ferry boat struck a pier at the dock on New York’s Staten Island, and some passengers suffered minor injuries.

Emergency workers were responding Saturday morning.

Police and Fire Department officials say they’re unsure how severe the accident was or how much damage was done to the ferry.

NY1 is reporting that the boat involved in the crash, the Andrew J. Barberi ferry, was also involved in a fatal 2003 crash:

Passengers on the boat told NY1 that the Andrew J. Barberi ferry boat picked up in speed as it approached the Staten Island dock, and then crashed at around 9:25 a.m.

“Everything was smooth sailing…. Then as we approached the dock, it started speeding up,” said passenger Alex Goldin. “[The crash] was so hard it threw you back.”

Witnesses say at least 10 people have been seriously hurt.

Emergency personnel are currently at the terminal, and eyewitnesses have seen several people laid out by the dock in stretchers.

Update (11:03 AM): Bloomberg is reporting a conflict between the number of injuries reported by CNN and New York’s Local CBS affiliate; the latter claiming ten injuries and CNN claiming 60. Both outlets are reporting the injuries are minor.

Update (11:18 AM): MSNBC now reporting there was one serious injury and between 35-60 minor ones. Also, more details on the crash: “The vessel hit the pier as it was preparing to dock at about 9:25 a.m. on Staten Island, Fire Department They were unsure how much damage was done to the ferry, which was still afloat.”

We’ll have more as the information comes in. Video of the news coverage below: