 Scenes of mayhem followed the crash |
A man who lost both legs in the New York ferry disaster has said a British nurse saved his life. Paul Esposito, 24, lay in agony after the Staten Island ferry crashed into a pier on Wednesday, killing 10 people and injuring 34 others.
He said a woman, who told him she was a British nurse called Kerry, then stemmed the blood flow using a belt and accompanied him to hospital, but left no details.
His story has emerged as American investigators begin a crash inquiry.
Witnesses are expected to be questioned about the condition of the pilot, who reportedly lost consciousness prior to the accident.
But the National Transportation Safety Board which is leading the investigation, said the report would take up to a year.
Mr Esposito, a waiter who lives with his parents on Staten Island, said he wants to meet the mystery Good Samaritan.
'New life'
"She kept telling me, 'Stay with me, don't leave, stay with me'.
"I asked how my legs looked and she responded, 'It's OK, you're going to start a new life.'
"There were dead people in every direction around me," he told the New York Times.
 |  Kerry is the reason I lived  |
The nurse used her own Gap sweater, which he kept, to cover Mr Esposito's legs. And she protected his face from debris flung by the strong winds.
Mr Esposito's grandfather, Michael Esposito, 72, said: "Paul is very eager to find this Kerry person.
"She was very instrumental, according to Paul, in saving his life.
"He and his dad want to meet this lady. They want to thank her."
The ferry carrying 1,500 people was at full speed when it crashed.
1. Ferry approaches the St George Ferry Terminal. Witnesses say the boat was travelling faster than normal, and was on an unusual course
2. Ferry hits maintenance pier. Long pilings on the pier tear through the boat's lower deck
3. Ferry is reversed into berth at the terminal; emergency crews arrive to assist the injured |
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