Clearwater Ferry Collision Kills One, Injures Twelve

A catastrophic boat crash occurred near Clearwater's Memorial Causeway Bridge on April 27, when a recreational vessel collided with a ferry carrying over 40 passengers during the final night of the Sugar Sand Festival. The collision resulted in at least one fatality and more than a dozen injuries, with all injuries sustained by those on the ferry. The boat responsible for the crash fled the scene but was reportedly located by authorities three hours later. Emergency responders declared the incident a 'mass casualty' event, mobilizing trauma alerts and airlifting some of the more seriously injured to local hospitals. Passengers and bystanders, including those on a nearby pirate cruise ship, worked together to aid the injured and issue mayday calls until first responders arrived. The investigation into the crash is being handled by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.