Authorities say the ship, which was not scheduled to navigate under the bridge, began drifting and attempted to reverse course. However, the masts of the vessel were too tall to clear the bridge’s underpass. As the ship backed up, the masts struck the structure, causing part of the rigging to collapse.

New York City Police Chief Wilson Aramboles explained that the mechanical failure left the crew with limited control over the ship’s direction. The tall masts, which were incompatible with the bridge’s clearance height, became a critical hazard as the ship drifted closer.

New York Mayor Eric Adams confirmed in a statement that two people had died from their injuries and