Authorities said Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos was one of the two victims who died when a Mexican Navy training vessel crashed into New York’s Brooklyn Bridge on May 17
The crash also killed cadet América Yamilet Sánchez, 20.
The NTSB will be conducting a safety investigation into the matter
Authorities have identified the second victim who died in the Brooklyn Bridge ship crash last weekend, that also claimed the life of a fellow Mexican Navy cadet.
In a Facebook post shared on Sunday, May 18, the Constitutional City Council of San Mateo del Mar, a coastal town and municipality in Oaxaca, Mexico, announced the death of Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos.
He was described as a sailor who was on the Mexican Navy training ship Cuauhtemoc when it crashed into the bridge on Saturday evening, May 17, in Brooklyn, New York.
Marcos, 23, hailed from San Mateo del Mar, The New York Times reported.
“We express our heartfelt condolences to his family and other close friends,” read the city council’s statement translated from Spanish to English.
The first victim from the incident was earlier identified as América Yamilet Sánchez, 20.
“I deeply regret the passing of Veracruz cadet América Yamilet Sánchez,’’ Veracruz, Mexico, Gov. Rocío Nahle García wrote on X on May 18, hours after Saturday’s tragedy. “My love, support and solidarity go out to her family.”
“My gratitude to the Secretariat of the Navy and my wishes for a speedy recovery for those injured. Veracruz is with you,” García added.
Rocío Hernández, Sánchez’s mother, remembered her daughter as a “dedicated student” who aspired to become a naval engineer, the BBC reported.
“She was a warrior, a soldier who didn’t give up, who always fought for her goals,” Hernandez said.
Saturday’s incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. local time. An official with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) told The New York Times that there were 277 people onboard at the time.
“Earlier tonight, the Mexican Navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc lost power and crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams shared in an update on X on Saturday.
The Mexican Navy shared a statement regarding the incident on social media, writing, “During the sailing maneuver of the Cuauhtémoc sailboat in New York, a mishap occurred with the Brooklyn Bridge, causing damage to the training ship, preventing the continuation of the training cruise for the time being.”
A news release from Mexico’s government Saturday, added that “as a result of the accident, there is an updated official report of 22 injured crew members, of whom 11 are diagnosed as critically ill and nine are stable. Sadly, two of the crew members who were in serious condition died from their injuries.”
The Coast Guard stated in a Sunday press release that all three masts of the ship sustained damage. It added that the ship is currently moored at Pier 36 on the East River “as damage assessments and future actions for the salvage plans for the vessel are being determined.”
Prior to the crash, the Cuauhtémoc was bound for Iceland following a ceremonial departure at the South Street Seaport, according to witnesses, CBS affiliate WCBS reported.
In a post on X Monday, the Mexican Navy said that 172 cadets, along with other crew members from the ship arrived at the port of Veracruz in Mexico, adding that two other cadets remain in New York for medical treatment and are in stable condition.
Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stated on Sunday that it is conducting a safety investigation into the incident. A news conference from the agency is scheduled for Monday afternoon.
“The multidisciplinary investigative team is comprised of experts in nautical operations, marine and bridge engineering and survival factors,” the NTSB’s statement read.