Mexican Tall Ship Collides with Brooklyn Bridge, Resulting in Two Crew Fatalities and Damaged Masts

Collision of the Cuauhtemoc with the Brooklyn Bridge

A Mexican naval training ship on a global goodwill tour, known as the Cuauhtemoc, collided with the iconic Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on Saturday evening. The incident resulted in the tragic loss of two crew members and left several sailors stranded and suspended from their harnesses high above the water. The ship, which is 142 years old, managed to avoid significant structural damage.

Casualties and Medical Response

New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that despite the severity of the collision, the Brooklyn Bridge itself sustained no major harm. However, the incident necessitated medical attention for at least 19 individuals aboard the ship, some of whom suffered serious injuries. Unfortunately, two of these injured crew members later succumbed to their wounds, a fact announced by Mayor Adams via social media on Sunday morning.

Investigation into the Accident

The circumstances surrounding the collision are currently being investigated. Eyewitness accounts have sparked varying theories regarding what led to the ship’s crash into the bridge. Multiple sources indicate that the Cuauhtemoc was seen swiftly moving in reverse towards the bridge just before the impact, resulting in its three masts snapping as it continued to travel.

Eyewitness Accounts

Numerous videos taken by eyewitnesses captured the distressing scene as the Cuauhtemoc was seen reversing toward the bridge near the East River’s Brooklyn side. The startling moment of collision occurred at approximately 8:20 PM, coinciding with heavy traffic on the bridge. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries among those on the bridge itself.

In the chaos that followed the crash, sailors were observed precariously high in the rigging of the damaged masts; remarkably, none fell into the water during the incident. Some individuals on the ground reported seeing a crew member dangling from a harness, awaiting rescue for what felt like an eternity.

Witnesses like Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz expressed their shock, recalling an image of a sailor suspended in mid-air for at least 15 minutes until help arrived. Nick Corso, who had intended to capture a picturesque view of the sunset, was instead startled by the sound of the ship colliding with the bridge, describing it as akin to a large twig snapping. The chaos culminated in what he described as “pandemonium” aboard the vessel as crew members scrambled to respond to the unforeseen catastrophe.

The Aftermath of the Collision

Following the accident, the Cuauhtemoc drifted towards the nearby riverbank where it eventually came to rest against a pier. Onlookers, who had gathered to witness the naval ship, quickly moved away from the scene as the event unfolded. As the broken vessel was slowly towed up the East River and under the Manhattan Bridge, crowds were drawn to the waterfront to observe the ongoing spectacle.

The Mexican navy later confirmed on social media that the Cuauhtemoc serves as an academy training vessel and acknowledged that a total of 22 crew members sustained injuries, with 19 needing medical intervention.

Responses from Officials

In light of the tragedy, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her sorrow over the loss of the two crew members, extending her solidarity and support to their families through a post on social media. As investigations continue, many officials are left to ponder the factors that contributed to the ship’s deviation from its intended path.

Details of the Bridge and Ship

The Brooklyn Bridge, an engineering marvel since its opening in 1883, spans nearly 1,600 feet (490 meters) and is supported by two prominent masonry towers. Daily, it accommodates over 100,000 vehicles along with approximately 32,000 pedestrians, making it one of New York City’s major thoroughfares and tourist attractions. Traffic was momentarily suspended post-collision but resumed following a thorough inspection of the bridge.

As for the Cuauhtemoc, measuring about 297 feet long and 40 feet wide (90.5 meters by 12 meters) and sporting a main mast that reaches a remarkable height of 160 feet (48.9 meters), the ship first set sail in 1982. It departed from Acapulco, Mexico, earlier in the year for its annual voyage designed to conclude the training of naval cadets.

Preparation for Future Voyages

The Cuauhtemoc is known for its annual journeys, allowing cadets from the naval military school to complete their training. It had made its way to New York City on May 13, where visitors were welcomed for several days as part of its global tour, which aimed to touch down in 22 ports across 15 nations over a span of 254 days, with 170 of those days spent at sea.

The naval vessel’s future operations will be closely monitored as investigations unfold, ensuring the safety of both the crew aboard and the structures afforded with heavy maritime traffic.