Ferry hits kayakers in Hudson River, 1 critically injured

UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- At least 11 people were injured when a ferry hit people kayaking in the Hudson River on Tuesday evening.

The ferry was leaving the terminal and heading to Jersey City.

The sun was low, making visibility difficult.

This photo from NewsCopter 7 shows a person being pulled out of the water into a boat:

"It was so quick I can hardly tell you," a kayaker said.

Rushing to get to his sister in an ambulance, the kayaker told Eyewitness News that coming face to face with a ferry is still a blur.

Both he and his sister were pulled from the Hudson River after a NY Waterways Water Taxi hit a couple of kayakers in their group.

"Everyone's all good, everyone safe, everyone's at the hospital," he said.

10 kayakers and an instructor were paddling along the Hudson River near Pier 79 around 6 Tuesday evening.

Four people were taken to nearby hospitals, most with minor shoulder and back injuries.

But the NYPD Harbor Unit says the instructor suffered a partially severed arm.

"His bone was exposed. He lost a lot of blood and he was lapsing in and out of consciousness," said David Driscoll, Commanding Officer, Inspector, Harbor Unit.

"He was lying on top of the kayak. There was this pool of blood," said Tommy Le, Police Officer, Harbor Unit.

"There were a lot of helicopters and search boats. And they got the guy really fast, but he couldn't move or feel anything," said Jasmine Hairston, a witness.

The Coast Guard administered alcohol testing to the captain of the ferry. He came back completely clean.

The Harbor Unit says both the kayakers and the captain have the responsibility to stay out of each other's way.

This remains an active investigation.