Two die as tall ship hits Brooklyn Bridge

TWO crew members were killed and 22 others injured when a giant sailing ship ploughed into New York’s Brooklyn Bridge.

- By Stephen Beech

The Mexican navy training vessel Cuauhtemoc is thought to have lost power before it was swept backwards into the landmark, shearing off its three 147ft masts.

City mayor Eric Adams said 277 cadets and crew were on board the barque which was on a global tour, headed for Iceland and Aberdeen.

Video caught onlookers screaming and fleeing as the tall ship rammed the 1883-built bridge that links Manhattan and Brooklyn.

The masts snapped off as they hit the roadway, sending wood, steel and rigging crashing to the deck and leaving sailors clinging to ropes and beams high above.

Casualties, some in “critical” condition, were transferred to the Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan.

‘Reckless’

Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum called Saturday night’s tragedy an “unfortunate accident”.