Latest news with #IsmariRomero
NDTV
18-05-2025
- General
- NDTV
Witnesses Share Horror of Brooklyn Bridge Collision: "Saw People Hanging From The Sails"
Chaos erupted when a Mexican Navy training ship, the Cuauhtemoc, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York on Saturday. The ship, carrying 277 crew members, mostly cadets, lost power and crashed into the bridge around 8:30 pm local time. The impact sheared off the top of the ship's 147-foot masts, which exceeded the bridge's 135-foot clearance. Upon collision with the New York City landmark, the ship snapped all three of its masts, killing two people and injuring 19 others. The Brooklyn Bridge, which opened in 1883, has a nearly 1,600-foot (490-meter) main span that is supported by two masonry towers. More than 100,000 vehicles and an estimated 32,000 pedestrians cross every day, according to the city's transportation department, and its walkway is a major tourist attraction. The Cuauhtemoc - about 297 feet long and 40 feet wide (90.5 meters long and 12 meters wide), according to the Mexican Navy - sailed for the first time in 1982. Witness Accounts: Witnesses described a terrifying scene, with screams filling the air as the ship crashed into the bridge. Some onlookers ran from the water's edge as the crippled ship drifted toward them. Elijah West, who witnessed the crash, said, "The boat was coming under the bridge, and there were sailors on top of the boat, the sails hit the bridge, and then people were falling off the boat's sails." "It was crazy. We were standing under the bridge, and we all started running. Then I saw people hanging from the sails. Police boats came around fast — about five minutes later. And then police guided the boat to the [Manhattan] bridge and started the rescue. It was a shock," he added. Another witness, Ismari Romero, recounted the moments leading up to the crash, saying they were celebrating and singing as the ship departed, but the scene quickly turned chaotic. "We were all joyful, and they departed. And when they reached the Brooklyn Bridge, I believe they hit the bridge, and the top collapsed. We were very scared. A lot of people were screaming, a lot of people were crying. They're like, 'How is this happening? How is this possible?" Mr Romero said. Similarly, Matt Tibbitts was on a ferry heading from Dumbo to Williamsburg with friends when he realized the vessel wasn't going to clear the Brooklyn Bridge. "The people around us were kind of like, 'oh, I think that's too tall,' and then you turn and immediately just see it snap," he recounted. Describing the scene as surreal, Matt added, "You saw some people taking some big falls off those masts". Aya Asan, a 33-year-old photographer from Crown Heights, also witnessed the terrifying crash after finishing a proposal photoshoot at Brooklyn Bridge Park. "I couldn't even believe what I was seeing. For a moment, I thought the boat might somehow crash into the park area, where the people were. I started running away, and everyone started running … Everyone was shocked, and then we saw a lot of police and heard sirens. I saw people hanging there," Ms Asan said.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Terrified witnesses describe ‘scary' moment Mexican navy tall ship crashed into Brooklyn Bridge: ‘A lot of people were crying'
Terrified witnesses heard the deafening sound of screams as a massive Mexican navy tall ship crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday night. Panicked parkgoers in Brooklyn Bridge Park could be seen on video running from the water's edge as the crippled ship appeared to drift toward them. 'The boat was coming under the bridge, and there were sailors on top of the boat, the sails hit the bridge and then people were falling off of the boat sails,' said Elijah West, who witnessed the chilling crash at the park. 'It was crazy. We were standing under the bridge and we all started running. Then I saw people hanging from the sails. Police boats came around fast — about five minutes later. And then police guided the boat to the [Manhattan] bridge and started the rescue. It was a shock.' Two people were killed and 17 injured, including four critically, according to fire officials and sources. 'We were celebrating and we were saying goodbye and singing,' said Ismari Romero, 43, who witnessed the terrifying incident from Pier 17 on the Manhattan side with her sister and other Mexicans who wanted to welcome the ship to the Big Apple and 'make them feel like home.' 'We were all joyful, and they departed. And when they reached the Brooklyn Bridge, I believe they hit the bridge and the top collapsed. We were very scared. A lot of people were screaming, a lot of people were crying. They're like, 'How is this happening? How is this possible?'' Matt Tibbitts was on the ferry heading from Dumbo to Williamsburg with friends when he was struck with the horrifying thought that the vessel wasn't going to clear the bridge. 'The people around us were kind of like, 'oh, I think that's too tall,' and then you turn and immediately just see it snap,' he said. 'It's kind of surreal to see . . . You saw some people taking some big falls off those masts.' Aya Asan, a 33-year-old photographer from Crown Heights, had just completed a proposal photoshoot at Brooklyn Bridge Park when she saw the terror unfold. 'I couldn't even believe what I was seeing,' Asan said, noting that the park was packed with tourists who wanted to watch the sun set over the horizon just before the boat struck the bridge. 'For a moment, I thought the boat might somehow crash into the park area, where the people were. I started running away, everyone started running … Everyone was shocked and then we saw a lot of police and heard sirens. I saw people hanging there.' Robert Kwiatkowski was at High Tide in the Fulton Ferry District with coworkers when cheers broke out as the festive ship sailed by – but those cheers quickly turned to horrified gasps. 'Everyone at the bar was cheering and was excited for it since it was so close, and then next thing you know the masts hit the bottom of the bridge,' he said. 'At that point we realized, 'oh, we're witnessing a tragedy. It is pretty horrific…I was just very hopeful and I know that first responders, FDNY, all that will attend to those people properly.' A native New York, who witnessed the aftermath, said, 'I've lived in New York City my whole life' and 'I've never heard of a tall ship slamming into one of our nation's landmarks.' The colossal Cuauhtémoc – manned by a crew of 277 largely made up of cadets – lost power, drifted in reverse and slammed its towering masts into the roadbed around 8:30 p.m. Officials said 19 were injured, four seriously.
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
‘Oh my God!': New Yorkers watch in horror as viral video shows shocking moment when ship strikes Brooklyn Bridge
A massive Mexican Navy training ship collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, causing damage during a 'goodwill' visit to the US. As the sailing ship passed beneath the well-known building on Saturday night, footage has surfaced that shows the Cuauhtémoc's towering masts striking the bridge. Multiple casualties were claimed by US media after parts of the masts reportedly fell on the ship. The Emergency Management (NYCEM) of New York City stated that it was 'responding to an incident' but provided no other information. As the masts struck the bridge, crowds observing the ship's course ran away from the water's edge, with several saying: 'Oh my God!' 'We were very scared. A lot of people were screaming, a lot of people were crying. They're like, 'How is this happening? How is it is this possible?' ' health care worker Ismari Romero told NY Post. Meanwhile, several X user reacted to the viral of the crash, with one writing: 'Why is this video in reverse and why are Italians crashing their boats on US? It is common knowledge that bridges only open at certain times and they need to notify first for them to open it. Looks like it was done on purpose.' 'Are there passengers on the ship?' another inquired. The third user went on to say that 'Mexico has to pay.' Also Read: Who is Johannes Pietsch (JJ)? Austria's opera singer wins Eurovision 2025; Here's what he takes home Authorities were reacting to injuries, confirmed the New York City Fire Department, according to CBS, the BBC's US partner. The department claimed to have no information regarding the number of potential victims or whether they were on the bridge or the ship. Meanwhile, NYCEM stated that 'the situation is developing and details are not confirmed at this time'. According to CBS, New York Mayor Eric Adams has been updated on the scenario and is currently on the scene. More than 200 crew members were on board the Cuauhtémoc, as per media reports.
New York Post
18-05-2025
- General
- New York Post
Terrified witnesses describe ‘scary' moment Mexican navy tall ship crashed into Brooklyn Bridge, injuring 19: ‘A lot of people were crying'
Terrified witnesses recalled hearing the deafening sound of screams as a massive Mexican navy tall ship crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge late Saturday night during a goodwill visit to the Big Apple. 'We were celebrating and we were saying goodbye and singing,' said Ismari Romero, 43, who witnessed the terrifying incident from Pier 17 with her sister and other Mexicans who wanted to welcome the ship to the Big Apple and 'make them feel like home.' 'We were all joyful, and they departed. And when they reached the Brooklyn Bridge, I believe they hit the bridge and the top collapsed. We were very scared. A lot of people were screaming, a lot of people were crying. They're like, 'How is this happening? How is this possible?'' Advertisement 4 The Mexican Navy tall ship sits in the East River after crashing into the Brooklyn Bridge on May 17, 2025. Nelson Slinkard via Storyful 4 Injured crew and passengers are transported after being rescued off the ship on May 17, 2025. James Keivom The colossal Cuauhtémoc – manned by a crew of 277 largely made up of cadets – lost power, drifted in reverse and slammed its towering masts into the roadbed around 8:30 p.m. Officials said 19 were injured, four seriously. Advertisement Two sailors were on top of one of the 147-foot masts when it struck the bridge – which has a max clearance of 135 feet. Matt Tibbitts was on the ferry heading from Dumbo to Williamsburg with friends when he was struck with the horrifying thought that the vessel wasn't going to clear the bridge. 'The people around us were kind of like, 'oh, I think that's too tall,' and then you turn and immediately just see it snap,' he said. 4 An NYPD boat pulls up on the damaged boat after the crash. Getty Images Advertisement 4 NYPD personnel work to rescue crew members from the boat. William Miller 'It's kind of surreal to see, a little scary for everyone involved. Luckily we were on the ferry a couple hundred feet ahead, so we weren't concerned for our safety but we were concerned for the people we could see. You saw some people taking some big falls off those masts and I'm sure that's a scary experience for them and we wanted to make sure they're ok,' he continued. 'It could've been a lot worse. It's a scary thing to witness that close.' Officials said 19 people were injured – four critically – including crew members. Advertisement 'The boat was coming under the bridge, and there were sailors on top of the boat, the sails hit the bridge and then people were falling off of the boat sails,' said Elijah West, who witnessed the chilling crash at Brooklyn Bridge Park. 'It was crazy. We were standing under the bridge and we all started running. Then I saw people hanging from the sails. Police boats came around fast — about five minutes later. And then police guided the boat to the (Manhattan) bridge and started the rescue. It was a shock.'
New York Post
18-05-2025
- General
- New York Post
‘We were very scared' New Yorkers watch in horror as Mexican Navy ship strikes Brooklyn Bridge
Joyous singing turned to screams Saturday night as New Yorkers who turned out to Pier 17 for a send off of a Mexican Navy ship on a goodwill tour watched in horror and disbelief as the vessel slammed into the Brooklyn Bridge. Ismari Romero and her sister Miriam had been in contact with some of the 277 sailors aboard the Cuauhtémoc — and even given them a tour of the Big Apple while the majestic vessel was docked at the South Street Seaport this week. 'We were celebrating and we were saying goodbye and singing. We were all joyful, and they departed,' Romero, 43, told The Post. 'And when they reached the Brooklyn Bridge, I believe they hit the bridge and the top collapsed. 3 The crumpled mast of the Cuauhtémoc after the Mexican vessel slammed into the scaffolding under the Brooklyn Bridge. Nelson Slinkard via Storyful 'We were very scared. A lot of people were screaming, a lot of people were crying. They're like, 'How is this happening? How is it is this possible?' ' the health care worker recalled. Miriam Romero, 50, had been among a group of Mexican American New Yorkers who turned out Tuesday to welcome the Cuauhtémoc as it sailed into New York. 'We were proud that the Mexican naval school is visiting in New York,' Ismari said. The ship, including 277 crewmembers, is on an eight month training tour that includes 22 ports in 15 countries. New York was the third stop on a trip that included visits to Jamaica, Iceland, and Portugal. After a welcome party, Miriam showed seven of the sailors around downtown Manhattan, including Pier 26 and Canal Street. 3 The incident left 19 people hurt, including four who were critically wounded. James Keivom They grabbed pizza and then walked over the Brooklyn Bridge — not knowing the horror that would unfold days later and leave 19 people hurt, four of them critically. 'I have a son who is a US marine. So this is especially emotional,' Ismari Romero said. The Cuauhtémoc was built in Spain in 1982 with the sole purpose of training cadets. Video showed the ship's 147-foot tall mast, adorned in lights, crumpling as it sailed along the East River — and ran straight into the nearly 1,600 foot span of the historic bridge. 3 The Cuauhtémoc was on an eight month goodwill tour that included 22 ports in 15 countries and had been in New York since Tuesday. James Keivom The arrival of the Cuauhtémoc gave Big Apple residents a preview of next year's Sail4th event, which celebrates America's 250th birthday. The mission of the Cuauhtémoc is to 'exalt the seafaring spirit, strengthen naval education and carry the message of peace and goodwill of the Mexican people to the seas and ports of the world,' according to the Mexican Navy.
