Terrifying Moment Navy Ship Smashes into Brooklyn Bridge—Sailors Left Dangling High Above in Harrowing Crash

Ever wondered what it takes for a massive navy training ship to go from setting sail to tangling itself with one of New York’s most iconic landmarks? Well, this past Saturday, over 200 sailors aboard the Mexican navy’s tall ship Cuauhtémoc found themselves hanging—not by choice—from the ship’s masts after a collision with the historic Brooklyn Bridge. Two lives were tragically lost, and scores of crew members were injured when the 297-foot vessel, just departing for Iceland, suffered what New York’s mayor called “mechanical issues” that sent it careening off course. The image of sailors dangling high above the water, swaying as the ship struck that 142-year-old bridge, is something you can’t easily shake. How does a proud naval training ship turn into an impromptu acrobat’s stage over the East River? It’s a story that’s part heart-stopping accident, part surreal spectacle — and it’s just the kind of chaos that makes you question what’s next in this wild, unpredictable world. LEARN MORE.

Sailors were seen hanging from a navy training vessel’s main mast after the ship crashed in to Brooklyn Bridge, killing two people.

The Mexican navy tall, ship carrying over 200 people, had just departed from New York on its way to Iceland when it collided with the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday evening (17 May).

Over 20 crew members were left injured after three masts snapped completely from the ship, whilst some were dangling in the air from harnesses high up.

New York City mayor Eric Adams said two people have died, and at least 19 people needed medical treatment following the crash. The damage to Brooklyn Bridge was minimal.

Adams claimed that ‘mechanical issues’ caused the 297-foot ship to steer off course.

Two people have died after the Mexican navy tall ship collided with Brooklyn Bridge (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Shocking videos of the incident have been shared on social media, showing sailors appearing to cling on to the masts.

In one clip, multiple crew members looked to be atop the Cuauhtémoc’s 150-foot masts after the ship struck the 142-year-old bridge.

277 people were said to be aboard the vessel, which was fronting a giant Mexican flag when it drifted towards the riverbank.

Eye-witness Lily Katz told The Associated Press: “We saw someone dangling, and I couldn’t tell if it was just blurry or my eyes, and we were able to zoom in on our phone and there was someone dangling from the harness from the top for like at least like 15 minutes before they were able to rescue them.”

Flavio Moreira also said to CNN: “We could see some people being kind of dragged.

“There was some, I believe it was some of the staff, they were on the top of the boat.

Sailors were seen hanging from a navy training vessel’s main mast (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

“And they were swinging around, back and forth as soon as the ship hit the bridge.”

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum tweeted via translated text on Sunday (18 May): “We are deeply saddened by the loss of two crew members of the Cuauhtémoc Training Ship, who lost their lives in the unfortunate accident in New York Harbor.

“Our sympathy and support go out to their families.”

Sheinbaum noted that the navy was ‘currently treating the wounded’.

“I thank New York Mayor Eric Adams for all the support he has provided to our fellow citizens,” she added.

“We are monitoring the situation, and the Navy will continue to provide updates.”

Mayor Adams said the bridge has remained open to the public after the ship was eventually towed away from the scene.