SAN DIEGO — A San Diego harbor cruise boat hit a pier while docking, injuring seven people and causing significant damage to the bow of the vessel.
San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Capt. Joe Amador says three of those hurt about 1 p.m. Thursday were taken to hospitals. Medical staff evaluated four other people, but they didn’t need further care.
The accident occurred at San Diego’s Embarcadero tourism area.
“All of a sudden we heard the Hornblower start honking his horn really loud and it was coming in way too fast. And we knew right away it was gonna hit” witness Norma Swinson said.
Amador says there was apparently a mechanical malfunction that prevented the 150-foot-long Adventure Hornblower from stopping in time as it was docking.
About 140 passengers were aboard the vessel. A tugboat pulled the ship away from the pier.
