http://apnews.excite.com/article/20031016/.../D7U71FI80.html


here is an exerpt from the article i linked above:

"NEW YORK (AP) - A Staten Island ferry slammed into a pier as it was docking Wednesday, killing at least 10 people, tearing off victims' limbs and reducing the front of the mighty vessel to a tangled mass of wood, glass and steel. At least 42 people were injured.

The ferry pilot, responsible for docking the vessel, fled the scene immediately after the crash, went to his Staten Island home and attempted suicide by slitting his wrists and shooting himself with a pellet gun, a police official told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. The pilot was rushed to the same hospital as many of the victims and underwent surgery.

After interviewing another crew member, authorities began investigating whether the pilot was asleep at the wheel as the boat approached land, a law enforcement source told the AP..."



this is very scary and very sad. new yorkers have definitely had their share of tragedy these past few years...

 

"Some bodies were accidentally counted twice, leading to an initial report by city officials that 14 people were dead"

You know what this means??? yuck.

Sam

 

To my understanding a lot of people lost limbs (primarily legs). . .

 

yep...and one uninjured passenger reportedly saw a woman without legs screaming and also a body that was decapitated...

 

dang. no wonder the driver ran away and attempted suicide. i'd probably do the same, except i'd make sure that i succeed. imagine what this guy will be thinking when he wakes from his surgery...

 

I've read/heard that the assistant capt'n may have blacked out and fallen across the throttle due to a problem with his blood pressure meds--which, if true, is tragic not only for the injured/killed and their families, but for him as well.