Ferry Crash Probe Focuses on Pilot

N E W   Y O R K, Oct. 16 -- A day after a hideous wreck that killed 10 Staten Island ferry riders and left others horribly maimed, investigators were focusing today on whether the ship's pilot blacked out and collapsed onto the throttle as it approached shore.

The investigation led by the National Transportation SafetyBoard was also looking into whether the crew had been in a positionto provide backup assistance just before the crash Wednesdayafternoon that left more than 60 people hospitalized.

Eight people remained in critical condition today. Thefractured ferry sat at the docks as thousands of commuters boardedboats for the morning rush hour.

"If you look at any photograph of a terrorist attack on a busor train in the Middle East, that's your idea of what it lookslike," said Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro aftervisiting the wreck site today.

Still an Accident Probe

The man at the ferry controls, 55-year-old Assistant Capt.Richard Smith, remained hospitalized under police guard after twofailed suicide tries just after the crash.

Although a blood sample was taken from Smith with a warrant fromthe Staten Island district attorney, the case remained an accidentinvestigation rather than a criminal probe. Early results indicatedalcohol was not a factor, according to a high-ranking lawenforcement source speaking on condition of anonymity.

Authorities, based on a conversation Smith had with detectivesWednesday, were still investigating whether prescription drugsplayed a role in the accident, the source said.

Samples were also taken from the rest of the crew; some resultswere already in and under review, said National TransportationSafety Board Chairwoman Ellen Engleman. She was unsure when theresults would become public.

Alan Abramson, an attorney for Smith, released a two-sentencestatement today after speaking with the pilot's wife.

"The family and all concerned hope that people will not rush tojudgment," said Abramson, who has yet to meet with his criticallyinjured client. "Their prayers go out to all the victims."