Officials reveal 'cause' of crash following navy ship smashing into Brooklyn Bridge and killing two
The cause behind the crash of a navy ship into Brooklyn Bridge has been revealed by officials following preliminary investigations.
The 297-foot Mexican navy ship was named the Cuauhtémoc, and was said to have lost power during its voyage on Saturday night (17 May), leaving the ship's crew and captain out of its control when it crashed into the bridge, tragically killing two.
Twenty-two people were injured in the impact, with the ship's masts falling to the deck where crew members were situated. Nineteen required medical attention.
New York Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the casualties but also announced that the bridge was reopened shortly afterward following an inspection, as the damage done to the bridge itself was minimal.
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Photos on social media terrifyingly revealed that sailors were clinging on to the ship's 150 foot masts in the aftermath.
With 277 onboard, footage showed the boat heading towards the bridge and losing its masts, one at a time.
It would then be towed away from the scene in a peculiar incident, with police carrying out an initial investigation on the events.
They determined that the ship had likely undergone 'mechanical issues' and lost power, following speculation that the ship's engines were jammed in reverse as the vessel was intended to be travelling the other way.
However, it is still unclear on what really caused the ship to head off course, as New York police chief Wilson Aramboles confirmed that it was supposed to be heading for sea, the opposite direction to the bridge.
Tom Roth-Roffy, a former NTSB maritime investigator, told the Telegraph that footage of the crash showed signs the vessel still had engine power when it crashed, saying it appeared to create a wake in the water.
He said: "If it’s just drifting with the current, the water would be flowing at the same speed as the ship.
"As a vessel moves through the water, it creates a wake."
However, he added that it was too early to say for sure what really caused the crash.
While it was believed that two of those injured were in critical condition, it was confirmed by the New York Coast Guard that everyone was accounted for, as no-one fell into the water.
The Cuauhtémoc was a training vessel for the Mexican navy, which was primarily used to finish cadets' training.
It had set sail from the Mexican port of Acapulco on the nation's Pacific coast back on 6 April, with it scheduled to visit 22 ports in 15 countries, which included Jamaica, Cuba, Iceland, France and Scotland.
Following this tragic accident though, the vessel will be unable to complete its journey.
Joshua Nair