One Dead, Multiple Injured After Hit-and-Run Boat Crash in Clearwater, Florida
A tragic scene unfolded in Clearwater, Florida, on Sunday night after a ferry carrying 45 people was struck by another boat, leaving one person dead and multiple others seriously injured, local authorities confirmed.
The Clearwater Ferry, which included two crew members aboard, was hit by a separate vessel that fled the scene. Law enforcement later identified the striking boat with the help of another agency, Clearwater city officials reported.
Due to the number and severity of the injuries, the Clearwater Fire Department declared a mass casualty event. Two victims were airlifted to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment, while others were transported by ambulance. All injuries were sustained by passengers aboard the ferry, which ultimately came to rest on a sandbar following the collision.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene around 8:43 PM local time (00:43 GMT).
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will lead the investigation into the crash, working alongside the U.S. Coast Guard.
Authorities have not yet released details about the circumstances of the hit-and-run or potential charges against the boat’s operator.
