Mass Casualty Declared After Boat Hits Ferry Florida, 1 Dead/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ One person died and several were injured when a boat struck a ferry near Clearwater’s Memorial Causeway Bridge. Authorities declared it a mass casualty event as multiple trauma alerts were issued. Investigations are underway while the search for the fleeing boat continues.
Florida Boat Crash Near Clearwater Bridge Kills One: Quick Looks
- Boat collided with ferry near Memorial Causeway Bridge, Clearwater.
- One person confirmed dead; several others seriously injured.
- Incident declared a “mass casualty” by Clearwater Fire & Rescue.
- All victims were aboard the ferry carrying over 40 passengers.
- Two critically injured people airlifted to local hospitals.
- Boat involved fled the scene; search for vessel ongoing.
- U.S. Coast Guard and Florida Fish & Wildlife leading investigation.
- Authorities advised motorists to avoid Memorial Causeway Bridge.
Mass Casualty Declared After Boat Hits Ferry Florida, 1 Dead
Deep Look
Florida Boat Crash Near Clearwater Bridge Leaves One Dead, Several Injured
CLEARWATER, Fla. — A tragic boating accident off the Memorial Causeway Bridge in Clearwater on Sunday resulted in the death of one person and left several others injured, prompting authorities to declare the incident a “mass casualty event.”
According to the Clearwater Police Department, the crash occurred when a boat collided with a ferry carrying more than 40 passengers before fleeing the scene. Emergency responders quickly arrived, finding the ferry stranded on a sandbar south of the bridge.
Authorities have not released the identity of the deceased individual or detailed the extent of the injuries suffered by others aboard the ferry. However, Clearwater Fire & Rescue described the scale of injuries as significant enough to activate multiple trauma alerts across local hospitals.
Rapid Emergency Response
In the immediate aftermath, first responders rushed to the scene with flashing lights, as captured in several videos circulating on social media. The rescue operation successfully evacuated all ferry passengers and transported the injured to nearby hospitals.
Helicopters airlifted at least two critically injured individuals to trauma centers for urgent medical care. Other patients were treated and transported by ambulance.
Clearwater police, meanwhile, advised drivers to steer clear of Memorial Causeway as emergency operations unfolded.
Search for Fleeing Vessel
Authorities have yet to provide a description of the boat responsible for the collision, which fled the scene without assisting the victims. The Clearwater Police Department is working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to locate the vessel and determine the circumstances leading to the crash.
The investigation will seek to answer whether speed, impaired operation, or navigational errors contributed to the fatal incident.
Community Shock and Ongoing Investigation
The boat crash has deeply shaken the Clearwater community, particularly given the tragic loss of life and the high number of injuries. The Memorial Causeway Bridge area is a popular route for both boaters and ferry services, especially during weekends, making safety on the water a critical concern.
Clearwater officials emphasized that more information would be released as the investigation proceeds. They also called on any witnesses or individuals with video footage of the incident to come forward to aid in identifying the fleeing vessel.
As the community waits for answers, the incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of boating safety, vigilance, and responsibility on Florida’s busy waterways.
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