NYC ferry captain 'may be fired'

Witnesses described horrific scenes as the ferry crashed

US officials say they may fire the captain of a New York ferry which crashed while docking at the city's Staten Island, killing 10 people, because he will not talk to investigators.

City transportation commissioner Iris Weinshall said her agency was "drawing up charges as we speak" to dismiss Captain Michael J Gansas.

The captain failed to attend interviews with the commission and the National Transportation Safety Board, which is leading the inquiry into last week's disaster.

Mr Gansas' lawyers said he was still suffering from trauma and had been advised to avoid further stress, adding that he had been "unfairly vilified" by "those who should know better".

Charges 'possible'

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg described Mr Gansas' refusal to meet investigators as "an outrage" and said it was preventing a thorough investigation into what happened.

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"The person like that has no business working for this city, and we will take every legal action we can to get his testimony," he said.

City police and law officials are also still deciding whether to bring criminal charges against the captain and other crew members, the Associated Press news agency reported.

The Staten Island Ferry boat hit enormous pilings at St George's Terminal on the island, which ripped through the vessel, leaving a mass of splintered wood, steel and glass.

Witnesses described how people's limbs were torn off as they tried desperately to move out of the way - others dived into the harbour to escape the debris.

Pilot probe

The cause of the disaster is not yet fully known although officials say mechanical failure or weather problems have been almost completely ruled out.

Investigators are focusing on the condition of the boat's pilot, Assistant Captain Richard J Smith, who is said to have lost consciousness shortly before the incident.

They also want to know the location of other crew members on the ferry which, investigators told the New York Times, had been going at almost full speed when it hit the pier.

Shortly after the incident Mr Smith allegedly ran from the scene to his Staten Island home where he tried to slit his wrists before shooting himself in the chest with a pellet gun.

Mr Smith underwent emergency surgery and remains hospitalised and unable to speak following the incident, his lawyer said.

More than 70,000 passengers a day take the free 25-minute ferry ride into Manhattan, while tourists use it to see the city's Statue of Liberty.

1. Ferry approaches the St George Ferry Terminal. Witnesses say the boat was travelling faster than normal, and was on an unusual course
2. Ferry hits maintenance pier. Long pilings on the pier tear through the boat's lower deck
3. Ferry is reversed into berth at the terminal; emergency crews arrive to assist the injured

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