Updated July 9.
A medical emergency involving the driver of a white car careering into the walls of a Steamship Authority (SSA) ferry prompted swift action by first responders at the Vineyard Haven terminal Wednesday.
The incident occurred before 10 am as the MV Island Home was boarding vehicles for the 9:30 am departure from Vineyard Haven. According to Massachusetts State Police spokesperson Sarah Burgess, the driver was a 91-year-old woman who needed to be extricated by the Tisbury Fire Department.
The driver was transported to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and flown to a Boston hospital by helicopter.
Tisbury Police Lt. Bill Brigham initially said the driver had experienced a medical incident, which he didn’t name. He said it seemed the driver entered the boat at high speed and “careened” into a wall on the vessel.
A trailer owned by the state’s Oil Spill Prevention & Response was also on the scene with the emergency responders. Tisbury firefighters could be seen sweeping debris on the Island Home’s freight deck before departing.
Norah Van Riper, a Vineyard Haven Public Library board of trustees member who was waiting to board a 9:30 am boat for a dental appointment, told The Times outside the terminal what she witnessed while waiting to board the vessel.
“They were just beginning to load the vehicles, and the very first car being loaded on seemingly, suddenly lost control and accelerated up the transfer bridge at high speed all the way down the length of the Island Home,” Van Riper said. She also said it looked like the vehicle would “go straight through the open doors and into the water,” but at the last moment, the car turned left and “hit the far end door and bounced back.”
Van Riper added that one of the SSA employees had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit by the car.
“It was terrifying,” Van Riper said. “I very much hope the driver is all right.”
Passengers of the 9:30 am boat were accommodated on a later trip aboard the passenger ferry MV Nantucket.
The Steamship Authority released an update late Wednesday morning that the U.S. Coast Guard had approved the Island Home to return to Woods Hole where the ferry line’s maintenance personnel will “perform a damage assessment and any necessary repairs.”
Several trips were canceled starting with the 10:45 am departure from Vineyard Haven and the freight ferry, the M/V Sankaty, took its place starting with the 1:15 pm departure from Woods Hole.
“Delays will occur through the day, so thank you for your understanding and patience,” the SSA’s statement reads. The ferry line also diverted all Oak Bluffs trips to Vineyard Haven on Wednesday due to weather.
Editor’s note: Updated with additional information from the Steamship Authority, Massachusetts State Police, and comments from Norah Van Riper.