The devastating crash happened when one vessel struck a ferry, resulting in numerous injuries. Authorities are now looking for more information about the vessel’s driver and owner.
A tragic boat crash near the Memorial Causeway bridge in Clearwater has led to the declaration of a mass casualty incident, leaving one person dead and several others injured.
The Clearwater Police Department, in cooperation with the Clearwater Fire Department, responded to the crash that occurred around 8:40 p.m. Sunday evening, April 29, involving the Clearwater Ferry, which was carrying more than 40 passengers.
The crash, which occurred when another vessel struck the ferry, has left some families worried and others praying for quick recovery for their loved one. The boat that collided with the ferry fled the scene, prompting an investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
“The severity of the injuries has led to the declaration of a mass casualty incident by the fire department,” Clearwater Police wrote in an alert on X. “Multiple trauma alerts have been called, and helicopters have transported two of the more seriously injured. Drivers should avoid Memorial Causeway.”
The Clearwater Ferry, which eventually came to rest on a sandbar just south of the Memorial Causeway bridge, had more than 40 people on board at the time of the collision. All passengers and crew members, several injured, were removed from the boat.
Rob Shaw, who is with the City of Clearwater confirmed that there were 45 people on board the ferry during the crash, including two crew members. He also stated that six individuals were categorized as trauma alerts, with two of them being airlifted to Baycare Health for treatment of various minor injuries.
However, despite efforts to save those injured, one person succumbed to their injuries from the crash. The U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, which responded to the scene, confirmed the collision between the Clearwater Ferry and the recreational vessel, also stating that investigations are underway.
“We will continue to update as more information becomes available,” the U.S. Coast Guard said on social media. As authorities work to determine the cause of the crash, Clearwater residents and visitors are advised to avoid the Memorial Causeway area as law enforcement continues their investigation.
Shaw also shared, “We believe the boat responsible for hitting the ferry left the scene immediately and we believe our law enforcement partners are at another location with that boat right now, but we are still asking anybody who has information anyone that witnessed anything anyone that may have any video to contact us.”
Meanwhile, some of those involved in the crash have spoken to media outlets. Brenda Alvarez, who is 31 weeks pregnant, shared, “We are actually going to go to the hospital right now to get checked because I’m a little worried I haven’t felt the baby move. It’s very scary. I fell between two seats, and my whole body hurts right now.”
Alvarez added that all they wanted at the moment was to reach their cars and go home, admitting that they never expected anything like this to happen. She expressed confusion over how fast the other vessel was going and how it was possible for them to hit the ferry and escape the scene.
“We have a 3-year-old and 1-year-old with us, and I’m pregnant, and I don’t know, it’s horrible. It shattered the whole back of the boat, left a huge dent,” she narrated.
Alvarez’s husband, Marco Vacheco, also shared his account, explaining how the boat struck the ferry from behind, crashing through the area where the captain sits and knocking passengers over.
Despite the chaos, the couple did their best to remain calm for their children and assist those around them, with Vacheco even helping others with open wounds on the boat.
Those on board the ferry are left with lingering questions about who was driving the other boat and what caused the collision, with many seeking answers. Luckily, officials have located the boat that struck the ferry, but details about its ownership and the identity of the driver have not been released.
The boat was seen being towed ashore, with investigators taking photos and inspecting the damage. It’s a large recreational vessel equipped with three engines and a large console where the driver operates it.
Authorities may release more information about the boat’s make and model in the coming days. They have also urged anyone with information about the crash to come forward.
As people on board are treated for their physical injuries and others heal from the trauma, many have commended the swift response to the incident, which undoubtedly saved lives.
Clearwater’s Mayor Bruce Rector expressed gratitude, “We are thankful for our Clearwater and Pinellas County first responders, the US Coast Guard, and the Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife for acting so quickly to save lives and investigate the incident.”
