Tourists were forced to run for their lives when an out-of-control cruise ship rammed a pier in San Diego.

The frightening footage shows the ship, the Adventure Hornblower, heading towards the pier at high speed.

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Some tourists, including an elderly woman, were oblivious to what was happening and did not respond when the ship’s captain tried to warn them by blowing Hornblower’s horn.

Seven people were injured when the whale-watching vessel struck the pier on Thursday.

VIDEO: Tourists run for cover.

The incident was captured on camera by a tourist who was lucky to escape serious injury.

Hornblower’s crew has apparently blamed the near-disaster on a mechanical malfunction.

An investigation will be held to ascertain the exact cause of the crash.