Two dead after naval ship crashes into Brooklyn Bridge in New York

The Mexican Navy tall ship floats off Pier 35 on the Manhattan side of the East River after the crash (Picture: Getty)

Two people have died after a Mexican naval ship hit the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City last night.

The sailing ship, which was about to leave for a goodwill tour to Iceland, snapped its three masts in the collision, injuring crew members and leaving some dangling from harnesses high in the air waiting for help.

In a scene captured in multiple eyewitness videos, the ship, called the Cuauhtemoc, could be seen travelling swiftly toward the bridge near the Brooklyn side of the East River.

The cause of the collision is under investigation.

At least 19 people needed medical treatment, including four with serious injuries, while the 142-year-old bridge was spared major damage.

Videos showed heavy traffic on the span at the time of the collision.

The Mexican Navy tall ship floats between the Brooklyn and the Manhattan bridges on the East River (Picture: Getty) The ship, named Cuauhtemoc, is pictured in the East River (Picture: Shutterstock) Bystanders watch after the ship crashed (Picture: Shutterstock)

The vessel, which was flying a giant green, white and red Mexican flag and had 277 people aboard, then drifted towards the piers lining the riverbank as onlookers scrambled away.

Sailors could be seen aloft in the rigging on the damaged masts, but no one fell into the water, officials said.

More to follow.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.