New Orleans cruise ship crash: Witness reveals how elderly passengers jumped into river to escape

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: Passengers jumped into the Mississippi River and desperately searched for ways to stay afloat after a tanker struck a river cruise ship near the Port of New Orleans on Friday, November 13.

Witness Blas Armas said he watched passengers scream for help, grab floating furniture and attempt to swim to safety as the American Heritage cruise ship began sinking following the collision with the Atlantic Asphalt tanker around 12:30 pm.

Armas, who was on his way to make deliveries at the dock, said the situation quickly became frightening as elderly passengers struggled to escape the sinking vessel.

Witness describes elderly passengers jumping into Mississippi River after cruise ship crash

"I saw the guy hitting the steamer and at the beginning everything was okay," Armas told WWL's Meg Farris.

He said the cruise ship initially did not appear to be turning around, but things changed as it began moving before eventually going underwater.

"The people were trying to escape, especially old people," Armas recalled. "Some jumped into the water and they were swimming."

As passengers entered the river, people could be heard shouting "help, help." Life vests were thrown into the water, but Armas said at least one person calling for assistance did not have a life preserver.

Some passengers also grabbed floating tables and chairs in an attempt to keep themselves above water.

Elderly woman rescued after struggling to reach shore

Armas said he witnessed an elderly woman wearing a life jacket struggling to reach the shore, with only her head visible above the water.

He recalled that nobody initially noticed her until a young woman swam toward her and helped pull her closer to the dock.

The witness said the entire incident was difficult to watch, particularly as older passengers tried to escape the accident.

"It was horrible. Seeing old people trying to escape from that accident," he said.

The rescue operation took around 30 to 45 minutes, with passengers being transferred to other boats and pulled out of the Mississippi River.

32 people hospitalized after Atlantic Asphalt tanker collision

Once passengers were brought to safety, first responders wrapped them in blankets. Armas also recalled seeing an injured passenger with a bleeding head.

"One of them was bleeding from his head and some other people from the 911 truck were bringing covers to cover them, but that came later on, not right away," he said.

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said all passengers had been accounted for and there were no critical injuries following the collision.

Around 197 passengers and crew members were aboard the American Heritage when the Atlantic Asphalt tanker struck the vessel. A total of 32 people were taken to the hospital, including two Harbor Police officers who helped with the rescue.

Passengers are receiving accommodations at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, with the Regional Transit Authority providing transportation.

The American Red Cross is also assisting with food and water as city officials work to recover passengers' personal belongings.