Both victims who died on the Mexican navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc, which crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on Saturday night, have been identified as cadets who fell to the ship’s deck after unbuckling their harnesses in an effort to try and get down, according to the NYPD.
On Sunday, Veracruz Gov. Rocío Nahle García identified one of the cadets as América Yamilet Sánchez of Xalapa in an X post Sunday.
“I deeply regret the passing of Veracruz cadet América Yamilet Sánchez,” the governor wrote in a translated post. “My love, support, and solidarity go out to her family. My gratitude to the @SEMAR_mx and my wishes for a speedy recovery for those injured. Veracruz is with you.”
Sánchez died when the ship, described as an academy training vessel, ran into the Brooklyn Bridge at about 8:20 p.m.
Massive sailing vessel crashes into Brooklyn Bridge (@TheWillieNelson / X)
“This seems to be a complete accident,” Daughtry said. “However, we’re going to let the investigators determine what caused…this mechanical malfunction, whether it be with the propulsion system, with the power system…”
He continued, saying the cause was something the engineers would have to determine because it was a naval vessel that city officials do not have responsibility over, or even the ability to board.
Daughtry added that federal authorities will work with the Mexican government to determine who will take the lead on the investigation, whether that is the National Transportation and Safety Board or the Mexican equivalent of the NTSB.
The Cuauhtémoc – about 297 feet long and 40 feet wide, according to the Mexican navy – sailed for the first time in 1982. The vessel’s main mast has a height of 160 feet, according to the Mexican government. Each year, the Cuauhtémoc sets out at the end of classes at the naval military school to finish cadets’ training. This year, it left the Mexican port of Acapulco on the Pacific coast on April 6, according to the Mexican navy.
A view of the Mexican navy tall ship being tended by the authorities after it crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan, New York. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
It arrived in New York City on May 13, when visitors were welcome for several days, the Mexican consulate said. The ship was scheduled to visit 22 ports in 15 nations over 254 days, 170 of them at sea.
It is unclear what caused the ship to veer off course, and investigations are being conducted by several agencies, including the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB).
The Brooklyn Bridge, which opened in 1883, has a nearly 1,600-foot main span 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. Its walkway is a major tourist attraction.
Traffic was halted after the collision but was allowed to resume after an inspection, city officials said.
As midnight approached, the broken ship was moved slowly up the East River, going under and past the Manhattan Bridge, aided by a series of tugboats, before docking at a pier.
Fox News’ CB Cotton and Danielle Wallace, as well as The Associated Press, contributed to this report.
