ARM Cuauhtémoc crashed into Brooklyn Bridge. América Sánchez, 20, and 23-year-old Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos were among the 277 crew members on board the Mexican Navy's sailing ship when its three masts snapped as they hit the bridge. According to Mexican media, Sánchez was one of the cadets who was standing on top of the rigging at the time of the accident. Twenty-two other crew members were injured, three of them critically, the Mexican Navy said.

The commander of the Mexican Navy, Admiral Pedro Raymundo Morales, said all the crew members well enough to travel would be taken back to their homeland soon. The body of América Sánchez is scheduled to be transferred to the Naval Academy in her home state of Veracruz later on Monday.

Her mother, Rocío Hernández, described the 20-year-old cadet as "an exemplary daughter" who was "a dedicated student" aiming to become a naval engineer. Standing before an impromptu altar adorned with flowers and photos of América Sánchez dressed up for her "quinceañera", the party marking her 15th birthday, Ms Hernández paid tribute to her daughter. (BBC)