A tragic boat collision off the coast of Clearwater, Florida, has left one person dead and multiple others injured, prompting a mass casualty response from local authorities. The incident, which involved a hit-and-run on the water, occurred near the Clearwater Memorial Bridge last night, as reported by WFTV.
According to the Clearwater police department, the recreational boat that collided with the ferry, which had over 40 people aboard, fled the scene immediately after the crash. Clearwater officials, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, successfully located the boat involved in the incident. However, no details on the ownership or identity of the boater at the time of the crash have been publicly disclosed, as per a statement detailed by FOX 13 News.
The crash sent 12 individuals to area hospitals, with two requiring airlifts due to the severity of their injuries, according to a report by WFLA. The arrival of multiple emergency units led to the incident being declared a mass casualty event by the Clearwater Fire Department. The damaged ferry ultimately came to rest on a sandbar near the bridge, where first responders attended to the victims.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has since taken the lead in the crash investigation, as they continue to explore the circumstances leading up to this fateful encounter on the water.
