NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Multiple people have been injured after a ferry from New Jersey hit a dock at a pier in lower Manhattan.

Around 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, the Seastreak Wall Street ferry banged into the mooring as it was coming in to Pier 11 at South Street and Gouverneur Lane. Police and fire officials said at least 57 people were hurt, one critically with head injuries.

One witness said the ferry didn't appear to slow down as it approached the dock and then heard a big bang, 1010 WINS' Juliet Papa reported.

Passenger Richard Correra described a chaotic scene.

"All of the sudden, the boat felt like it smashed into a wall," he told CBS 2. "Dozens of passengers got thrown out of their seats, got thrown forward. Some were heading downstairs and just flew down the stairs and hit their heads on various polls and walls."

Emergency crews carried patients off the dock on flat-board stretchers. The extent of the injuries are unknown.

A gash could be seen on a front corner of the boat as if it had been ripped open like a tin can.

The ferry departed from Highlands at 8 a.m. and had over 200 people on board. A 141 foot vessel, the boat is able to carry 400 passengers and provides daily commuter service to and from New York City, according to the company's website.

Ferry company officials are said to be at the scene.