One dead, 12 injured after boat’s hit-and-run collision with ferry in Florida

According to authorities, one person passed away and 12 others sustained injuries in a hit-and-run incident involving a private boat and a public ferry carrying 45 people in western Florida. The collision took place off the Memorial Causeway Bridge in Clearwater around 8:40 p.m. EDT on Sunday, marking the conclusion of the 17-day Sugar Sand Festival, an event showcasing sand sculptures.

The accident occurred when a 37-foot boat with six individuals on board collided with the Clearwater Ferry, operated by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. The ferry, which had 45 passengers including two crew members, ended up on a sandbar just south of the bridge, while the other boat was located 3 1/2 miles away at the Belleair Boat Ramp. The Clearwater Police Department shared webcam footage of the crash.

The victims were transported to four hospitals, with Orlando Health Bayfront in St. Petersburg serving as the sole Level II trauma center in Pinellas County. Emergency responders utilized two helicopters and 10 ambulances, with six patients being designated as trauma alerts. The identity of the deceased individual and which vessel they were on have not been disclosed.

Injuries sustained included broken bones, soft tissue damage, and head injuries. Emergency Management Services Chief Tony Tedesco described the scene as overwhelming with a large number of patients, classifying it as a mass casualty incident due to the demand exceeding available resources. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Coast Guard, Clearwater police and fire departments, and Pinellas County personnel were all involved in the rescue efforts.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard. The boat operator tested negative for alcohol in a breath sample. Witnesses on the water taxi shared their harrowing experiences, with one passenger expressing shock at the speed of the collision and the damage caused.

The joint statement released by the transit authority and Clearwater Ferry expressed condolences for the victims and their families, emphasizing their commitment to safety and collaboration with the ongoing investigation.