Tragic Boat Collision Near Clearwater Memorial Causeway Bridge Leaves One Dead and Several Injured
On Sunday night (27 April 2025), a devastating incident occurred near the Memorial Causeway Bridge in Clearwater, Florida, when a recreational boat collided with a ferry, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries. The collision has been classified as a “mass casualty event” due to the severity and number of injuries sustained.
At approximately 8:30 pm local time, the ferry, carrying 45 passengers and two crew members, was en route from the Sugar Sand Festival when it was struck by a privately owned boat. The boat fled the scene initially but was later identified by law enforcement authorities.
Details about the boat that collided with the ferry remain limited, with reports indicating that the vessel had six individuals on board at the time of the incident.
Following the collision, six individuals on the ferry were declared “trauma alerts,” with two of them airlifted to Baycare Health hospital. Tragically, one of the injured passengers succumbed to their injuries. Officials have confirmed that all passengers have been safely accounted for, and no one is reported missing.
Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector confirmed that the ferry was struck by a privately owned vessel, leading to a chaotic scene with good samaritans assisting in the evacuation of passengers. Some passengers were able to walk to shore from a sandbar where the ferry came to rest, while firefighters entered the water to aid others.
Brenda Alvarez, a passenger who is 31 weeks pregnant and was on board with her young children, described the harrowing experience, expressing concern for her unborn child’s well-being. She recounted the impact and the chaos that ensued, highlighting the speed at which the collision occurred.
Authorities are urging anyone with information or footage of the crash to come forward and assist in the investigation. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, supported by the US Coast Guard, will lead the inquiry into the tragic incident.
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