State police are investigating an incident where a minivan crashed into the doors of a Steamship Authority ferry docked at the Vineyard Haven terminal Wednesday.
At about 9:15 a.m., the vehicle drove at a high rate onto the vehicle deck of the M/V Island Home prior to boarding, the ferry line said in a statement. The vehicle crossed the empty deck and hit the stern loading doors on the far side of the boat.
The driver was brought to the hospital and the ferry is being kept at the dock until proper inspections can be made.
Norah Van Riper was waiting to board the ferry Wednesday morning when she saw the minivan drive quickly from the lot, up the transfer bridge and onto the ferry, she told the Gazette.
Ms. Van Riper estimated the vehicle was driving at least 30 miles per hour and said a Steamship Authority employee had to jump out of the way.
No other passengers or crew members were injured, according to the Steamship Authority.
First responders all arrived within minutes at the terminal, and a tow truck had to extract the vehicle.
The driver, who was not immediately identified, was brought to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, a Tisbury police officer at the terminal said.
Trips aboard the Island Home through at least its noon departure from Vineyard Haven are canceled and more trips may be canceled if necessary. The Steamship Authority later on Wednesday said the U.S. Coast Guard cleared the ferry to return to Woods Hole so maintenance staff can assess the damage.
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