2 OK after tugboat sinks near NH-Maine bridge

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (WHDH) -- Authorities say two men are safe after escaping from a tugboat that sank in the Piscataqua River in New Hampshire.

Steve Achilles, assistant fire chief in Portsmouth, New Hampshire said the tugboat went down between two barges Wednesday afternoon.

“You see a tug like that go down, you’re just like, ‘What’s going on?’ then all of a sudden, ‘Is that really happening?’” said Scott Miller, a witness.

Bruce Addison watched the boat go under.

“I just happened to be looking out the window watching the tugboat, and it appeared to be in trouble,” said Bruce Addison, a witness.

Video shows one of the men on board jumping off the boat just moments before it capsizes.

“It didn’t get frantic until the tug actually rolled over on its side, and I saw a head pop out,” Addison said.

“It’s scary because you see that boat and it’s so large, and the way the water was running so fast that they literally had seconds to get out,” Miller said.

Scott Miller and Corey Contrino were amazed no one was hurt.

“The waves came over the side of the boat and then pulled her right down. And then it came down on its side and slowly went down,” said Contrino.

The tugboat was part of the ongoing Memorial Bridge project in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Coworkers say it was just inspected by the Coast Guard six weeks ago. They’re just thankful both men on board got off the boat in time.

“They're both doing fine, got a little shaken up, but divine intervention,” said Ed Valliere, Riverside and Pickering.

Rescue crews will try to get the tugboat out of the water Thursday morning.