50 injured after ferry crashes into New York dock

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A commuter ferry hit a dock in New York's financial district during rush hour injuring at least 50 people.

The corner of the Seastreak Wall Street ferry was ripped open and passengers fell on each other, screaming and crying, AP reports.

According to the Daily Telegraph, officials say one person is in critical condition with head injuries.

The accident took place shortly before 9am local time on Pier 11 in lower Manhattan, near Wall Street.

Passenger Ellen Foran said: 'We were pulling into the dock. The boat hit the dock. We just tumbled on top of each other. I got thrown into everybody else. ... People were hysterical.'

Injured ferry passengers are taken away on stretchers by New York Fire Department. Getty

Firefighters were carrying people away on stretchers an hour after the crash.

More than 340 passengers and crew members were on board the ferry from New Jersey, one of many that carry commuters to the island of Manhattan.

Dee Wertz, who was on shore waiting for the ferry, said: 'It was coming in a little wobbly,' she said. 'It hit the right side of the boat on the dock hard, like a bomb.'

The boat was able to dock normally after it crashed and passengers raced off once the ramp came down.

'I think people just wanted to get the heck off the boat as soon as they could,' said Ms Wertz.

Meanwhile, NBC News reports that the National Transportation Safety Board said it would launch a full team to investigate.

A U.S. Coast Guard spokeswoman said: 'The Coast Guard will do alcohol and drug testing of the captain - as is routine in accidents like this.'

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