Twelve feared dead in New York ferry crash

Twelve people were feared dead and more than 20 others were seriously injured when New York’s Staten Island ferry crashed as it docked last night.

Witnesses said the side of the boat was torn away after approaching the dock at Staten Island too quickly.

The ferry is used by thousands of New York commuters as well as tourists who view the Statue of Liberty from its decks.

The cause of the accident was not immediately known but wind speeds were high during the day.

Emergency workers were called to the scene at about 8.20pm Irish time.

The boat crashed as it arrived at the St George's Terminal on Staten Island.

Police sources said passengers jumped into the water fearing they had been attacked by bombers.

Passenger Bob Carroll said: "There are metal beams and they just protruded through and went down the whole side of the boat and there were people standing and sitting there."

He told New York's NY1 news that the boat was going too fast.

"People were running and these beams were just coming in, following behind them and you could see some people were not going to make it.

"We were going at a very high of speed and those beams ripped the side of that boat out."

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg was travelling to the scene by helicopter.

New York fire department spokeswoman Maria Lamberti said: "There were numerous injuries like fractures and lacerations.

"There were a couple of people with amputations legs and arms."

Victims were taken to Staten Island University Hospital and St Vincent's Hospital.

Firefighters aboard the damaged ferry sifted through the rubble looking for victims.

The ferry, which has three levels, has a capacity of 6,000 people.

It is not known how many people were aboard at the time of the accident.

Although officials could not confirm the cause of the accident, winds have been high in New York City. Gusts exceeded 45mph during the day.

Passenger Paul Wiedemann said the sound of the impact sounded like a bomb exploding. He said there was no warning that the boat was about to crash.

"We were close to the dock and all of a sudden I heard a loud crash or explosion. Initially I thought it was a bomb because I heard the explosion and I saw pieces of the interior structure of the boat floating."

He said: "The actual bottom of the boat started caving in."