América Yamilet Sánchez and Jair Maldonado Marcos die in fatal Brooklyn Bridge ship crash

América Yamilet Sánchez and Jair Maldonado Marcos die in fatal Brooklyn Bridge ship crash

Fatal Brooklyn Bridge ship crash deaths of América Yamilet Sánchez and Jair Maldonado Marcos – Obituary

América Yamilet Sánchez, 20, and Jair Maldonado Marcos, 23, tragically lost their lives when the Mexican navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge on the evening of May 17. The vessel, part of a 15-nation goodwill tour, was departing New York City when it struck the bridge around 8:20 p.m., causing three of its masts to collapse. Sánchez was reportedly standing on one of the masts at the time of the crash.

The impact led to immediate fatalities, with both young sailors among the 277 crew members aboard. Sánchez, who was studying engineering at the Mexican naval academy, had recently spoken with her mother about the ship’s upcoming stop in Iceland. Family and friends gathered to mourn her loss, setting up a memorial at her home.

Two others sustained serious injuries, and over a dozen were hurt in the accident. Experts credit the ship’s steel rigging and the crew’s use of harnesses for preventing even greater casualties, as these factors kept many sailors from falling from great heights. Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that the historic Brooklyn Bridge, built 142 years ago, did not suffer significant damage. The National Transportation Safety Board has begun an official investigation into the cause of the incident.