Mandeep Mashiana, who was standing near the ship, said the impact was enough to throw everyone off the stairs.
	“Everyone who was standing on the stairs or in front of me was all on the floor,” Mashiana, 35, recalled Monday.
	“The force was so great that all the people from the stairs fell like decks of cards … everyone was gone. They were down.”
	Police say the accident happened around 5pm on Saturday as the boat was approaching the terminal with more than 900 people on board.
	Twelve people were slightly injured and five were taken to hospital for treatment, although none of the injuries were considered serious.
	Mashiana, who was not injured, said he got down to help those who fell.
	“I tried to pull a young girl out of the way. And at that time, there was a lot of screaming going on,” he said.  Some people were trying to comfort their children, he added.
	A short time later, ferry staff told everyone to stay put, saying they would get everyone off and treat the injured, he said.
	The ship docked minutes later when emergency crews arrived at the terminal, he said.  Staff gave the injured people directions on where to go, he said.
	The City of Toronto’s parks department said ferry service to Toronto Island will be reduced for the rest of the summer as a result of the crash.
	The city said one ship has been taken out of service and other ships will operate with reduced capacity in the future.
	“Until further notice, there will be only three ferries operating between the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal and Toronto Island — two passenger-only ferries and one vehicle/passenger,” the city said in a statement.  “Unnecessary vehicle crossing is discouraged.”
	Those who want to spend time on the island are warned to wait longer than usual for the rest of the summer.
	The city said safety is its top priority and has ensured the ferries meet Transport Canada safety standards and have required certificates.  These include an annual Transport Canada safety and security certificate, which was issued on June 21, and an engine and transmission inspection, most recently issued on Aug. 10, it said.
	An inspector will have to sign off on proper procedures and safety measures before full operations can resume, the city said.
	Wayne Smith, a professor at the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management in Toronto, said the crash and reduced service will likely have little effect on tourism in Toronto and its islands, mainly because the summer season is winding down. 
	“I think it’s going to be something they can work out, especially when school starts again … because you’re not going to have the same demand,” he said. 
	The city should clearly communicate with those who use the ferry service about wait times so people know what to expect, Smith said. 
	“I think if people can pre-book tickets and know what, or how long or what time it’s going to be, I think it’s going to be something they can work out,” he said.
	“Really communicate with people: what time does the ship leave, what’s going on, things like that. That’s the big key,” he said.  “People don’t mind waiting… as long as they know.”
	The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.  Police are investigating and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said it is also sending a team to look into the incident.
	This report by The Canadian Press was first published on August 22, 2022.