Florida marine accident report: Fatal Boat Crash in Clearwater, Florida
A tragic incident occurred on April 27, around 8:40 p.m., when a recreational boat struck a ferry carrying dozens of people just off the Memorial Causeway bridge in Clearwater, Florida. The boat then fled the scene, leaving behind a trail of destruction and injured passengers.
Injuries and Hospitalizations
One person died, and 12 others were hospitalized due to injuries sustained in the crash. The U.S. Coast Guard reported that approximately 45 people were aboard the ferry, including two crew members. The six people on the recreational boat did not suffer any injuries. The injured passengers were taken to a local hospital, with at least six declared trauma alerts and two transported by helicopter.
Investigation and Response
The Clearwater Fire and Rescue Department declared the crash a “mass casualty incident” due to the number of injuries and their severity. Law enforcement authorities identified the recreational boat that fled the scene, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is leading the investigation into the cause of the collision.
Still on Florida marine accident report
Eyewitness Accounts
Brenda Alvarez, a pregnant woman who was on the ferry with her husband and two young children, described the crash as a terrifying experience. “It shattered the whole back of the vessel,” she said. Alvarez fell between two seats and reported that her whole body hurt after the incident. She planned to visit the hospital to check on her baby’s well-being.
Ferry and Boat Details
The ferry, which was carrying around 45 people, came to rest on a sandbar just south of the Memorial Causeway bridge after the crash. The bridge connects Clearwater and Clearwater Beach and is located north of St. Petersburg and west of Tampa.
Context and Aftermath
The incident occurred on the last day of the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival on Clearwater Beach, with many passengers aboard the ferry returning from a day of celebration. The crash has left the community in shock, and authorities are working to determine the cause of the collision and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
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