| Accident | : Collision |
| Date | : 12th March 2016 |
| Vessel Type | : Tug boat and barge |
| Location | : Hudson River under the Tappan Zee Bridge north of New York City |
| Casualties | : One dead and two missing |
| Pollution | : 5000 gallons of fuel spill |
A tugboat collided with the construction barge and sank on Saturday in the Hudson River under the Tappan Zee Bridge north of New York City. Out of the three crew on board, one was pulled out from the crash and pronounced dead at the scene. The Coast Guard has started a Search and Rescue operation to find out the other two people.
Unfortunately, the 5000 gallons of fuel which was onboard the tug spilled into the sea. The fuel leak created a slick some 300 feet (91 meters) wide and five miles (eight km) long.
The tug was travelling from Albany in New York to Jersey City during the incident and sank 40ft to the bottom of the river, while conditions are reported to be difficult for divers.
In a statement, Rockland County Executive Ed Day said: “This morning’s deadly tugboat accident near the new Tappan Zee Bridge only highlights the dangerous work of those involved in such a massive construction project. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and the brave first responders involved in the difficult rescue and recovery. As work on the new span continues, we must be assured that an incident like this never happens again.”
A local media reported that a second person had been rescued from the water and has survived, though this has not yet been independently confirmed.
Source: IBTimes
