Boat crash in Clearwater leaves 1 dead and multiple injured after ferry collision
Boat crash leaves Florida ferry stranded and passengers injured after late-night hit (Screenshot: YouTube)
A tragic Sunday night unfolded on the waters of Clearwater, Florida, when a boat collided with a ferry carrying dozens of passengers and then fled the scene, reports NBC News.
Fatal collision sparks mass casualty response
The Clearwater Ferry was transporting 45 people under the Memorial Causeway bridge when it was suddenly struck by a private boat, which sped off immediately after the impact.
Police secure the scene near the water after a deadly boat collision involving a Clearwater ferry (Screenshot: YouTube)
The ferry ran aground on a sandbar, and emergency responders rushed to assist. "We believe that the boat responsible for hitting the ferry left the scene immediately, and we believe that our law enforcement partners may have that boat," said Clearwater Police spokesperson Rob Shaw.
The collision left one person dead, while the exact number of injured remains unclear. All injured were passengers aboard the ferry, and first responders removed everyone from the vessel.
Paramedics and emergency crews assist injured passengers following the Clearwater ferry crash (Screenshot: YouTube)
Two people with serious injuries were airlifted to hospitals, one suffering a femur fracture and another with undisclosed injuries. The Clearwater Fire Department declared the incident a "mass casualty incident," and six trauma alerts were reported.
Investigation underway as authorities identify fleeing boat
Authorities say they have identified the boat that left the scene, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is leading the investigation.
"Officers are still working to account for all of the people who were on the ferry but believe everyone has been rescued," added Shaw.
The investigation also involves the Clearwater Police Department, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, and the Coast Guard, which confirmed its presence at the scene.
A spokesperson for Clearwater Ferry confirmed the accident but declined to provide further details due to the ongoing investigation.
The investigation is ongoing as officials work to determine exactly what happened and ensure all passengers are safe.
