On Sunday night, emergency responders in Clearwater, Florida, labeled the situation a “mass casualty incident” after a recreational ferry, carrying many passengers, was hit by a fleeing boat.
According to the Clearwater Police Department, the Clearwater Ferry had over 40 individuals on board when it was struck by another vessel near the Memorial Causeway Bridge. The exact number of injuries remains uncertain, but officials confirmed that all injuries involved passengers from the ferry.
The City of Clearwater reported that six individuals were marked as “trauma alerts.” Authorities noted that two of these individuals sustained serious injuries and were airlifted to nearby hospitals.
WILD VIDEO SHOWS SPEEDBOAT CRASH AFTER FLYING THROUGH AIR AT POPULAR ARIZONA LAKE
Clearwater Police and Clearwater Fire and Rescue are on the scene of a boat accident near the Memorial Causeway Bridge, per Clearwater police. (FOX 13 Tampa Bay)
By 10:30 p.m. local time, emergency workers had evacuated all patients and passengers from the ferry.
The city of Clearwater announced via X, “It is not believed that there is anyone reported missing from the ferry.”
3 DEAD, MORE INJURED AFTER BOAT ACCIDENT IN MAJOR LEAGUE FISHING TOURNAMENT: REPORT
The Clearwater police shared on X, “It’s been designated a mass casualty incident by the fire department due to the number of injuries. All local hospitals have been alerted. Multiple trauma alerts have been issued, with helicopters transporting two of the more critically hurt. Motorists should avoid Memorial Causeway.”
After the impact, authorities stated that the ferry came to a stop on a sandbar south of the bridge.
Information regarding the boat that departed the scene after colliding with the ferry is currently unavailable.
The U.S. Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are looking into the incident.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
