A massive ferry crash happened Sunday evening (Florida time) near the Memorial Causeway Bridge in Clearwater, Florida, leaving one dead and 12 hospitalised.
A boat crashed into a ferry, before quickly departing. The ferry is said to have run aground, resulting in numerous injuries. Three people are said to be in a critical condition. One person is said to have died reported by the Pinellas County Fire and EMS Scanner.
Fire officials are calling it a “mass casualty event”.
The boat quickly fled the scene after hitting the ferry, according to the Clearwater Police Department.
Eyewitnesses have reported a chaotic scene with multiple helicopters airlifting victims to nearby hospitals.
Emergency responders are on-site, and authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.
The ferry before it crashed
A witness said that two maritime accidents may have happened simultaneously, claiming to have heard an official say there were “approximately 40 patients” getting treatment.
The exact number of injured persons has not been confirmed.
Earlier reports said the ferry was carry between 40 and 50 passengers at the time it crashed.
Shocking scenes in Clearwater, Florida (Image: Kristin Vincelli/X)
The boat was reported to be a rec vessel, according to officials from the Seventh Coast Guard District.
A supposed witness on X said shortly after it happened: “A regular boat just hit the ferry in Clearwater. I think over 4 helicopters airlifting people out so far, I don’t even know how many ambulances are there. Every minute there’s more and more,” citing a broadcast from the local coast guard. “This is awful.”
Countless emergency vehicles at the scene (Image: 10 Tampa Bay)
Earlier videos of the response circulating on X shows a massive convoy of emergency services rushing to the scene.
According to maritime officials speaking over a police scanner, there were “multiple red tag victims” among the injured. The term denotes a victim that has endured severe injuries but who also has a high chance for survival, according to the National Institute of Health.
Emergency services at the scene (Image: Kristin Vincelli/X)
Local officials have urged residents to avoid the area to allow emergency crews to operate efficiently.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
