10 hospitalized in San Francisco ferry accident

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- This morning, the Coast Guard is awaiting the result of drug and alcohol tests from the crew of a packed ferry boat that crashed into Pier 41 in San Francisco. The accident sent 10 passengers to the hospital.

It was just before 6 p.m. Sunday when the crash occurred. The ferry boat Peralta was carrying 230 passengers and heading to Oakland when it hit a piling at Pier 41.

Darryl Pham was riding on the ferry when the accident happened.

"I kind of saw it coming. A lot of people didn't, and it just hit the pylon and I saw kids flying, and it was pretty bad," said Pham.

Passengers described the accident as a very strong jolt that knocked some of them off their feet. The injured are suffering mild to moderate neck and back injuries.

It's unclear why the boat backed into a fixed object. The Coast Guard examined the ferry and said there are no mechanical issues. The Peralta has been cleared to go back into service.