Tragedy On The Hudson

At approximately 5AM, one worker was killed and two crew members went missing when a tugboat transporting a crane on a barge from the Albany area to Jersey City, New Jersey, collided with a barge in the construction space of the new Tappan Zee Bridge. The two workers are still missing and presumed dead. The one victim was currently removed from the water was identified as Paul Amon, 63, of Bayville, New Jersey.

The NY State Police put divers in the water to search for the two other victims. The County Police, who keep a boat on the Hudson in the area, assisted with the search. At one point the Governor toured the area. In fact, several politicians could be seen in the area campaigning among the first responders. Sadly, they were not kept out of the scene. We refuse to name them because it was the wrong time and place for campaigning.

The tugboat sank into the depths of the Hudson River after the collision. People on scene said the tugboat pilot had been heard on the radio saying, “Steer left, steer left.” Apparently, he could see there was some kind of obstruction he could see and was trying to avoid it. This, of course, is assuming those accounts are correct. The County’s all-volunteer Hazardous Materials Response Team responded to provide decontamination of the divers when they returned to the Tarrytown shore. The all-volunteer Tarrytown Fire Department was an integral part of this operation overall.

Our hearts and prayers go out to those affected by this horrific event.