Ferry pilot fled scene after fatal crash - police

The pilot responsible for docking a New York harbour ferry that slammed into a pier, killing at least 10 people and injuring 42 others, fled the scene immediately after the crash and then attempted suicide, a police official said today.

Authorities were today investigating what caused the 310ft Staten Island Ferry to plough into the enormous wooden pilings at the end of its run from Manhattan at 3.20pm local time yesterday, ripping a giant hole in the three-level, bright orange vessel.