Boat crashes into the Clearwater Ferry in Clearwater, Florida, leaving one person dead and at least twelve injured.
According to the Clearwater Police Department, all of the people injured were on the ferry that was carrying 45 passengers, including two crew members. The collision happened at the end of the 17-day Sugar Sand Festival, held on Clearwater beach.
Two of the injured people who were in a serious condition after the boat crashes the ferry were airlifted to hospital, the City of Clearwater said on X.
“Along with @clearwaterfire, we’re working a boat crash off the Memorial Causeway bridge that has resulted in multiple injuries,” the Clearwater Police Department said in a statement shared on social media.
“It’s been declared a mass casualty incident by the fire department due to the number of injuries. All local hospitals have been notified. Multiple trauma alerts have been called with helicopters transporting two of the more seriously injured. Drivers should avoid Memorial Causeway.”
Four people were transferred to Morton Plant Hospital, while two female patients were transported to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg. Another patient was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa.
Rob Shaw, information officer with the City of Clearwater told ABC Action News, “We believe the boat responsible for hitting the ferry left the scene immediately and we believe our law enforcement partners are at another location with that boat right now, but we are still asking anybody who has information anyone that witnessed anything anyone that may have any video to contact us.”
However, it was later reported by the City of Clearwater that “The boat that fled the scene has been identified by another law enforcement agency.
“The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be taking the lead on the crash investigation.”
Videos shared on the social media showed first responders arriving at the scene and the police warned drivers to avoid Memorial Causeway.
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