A ‘mass casualty event’ sparked a major rescue operation on the water in Florida after a Clearwater Ferry collided with another boat, which then fled the scene.
At least six of the 42 passengers have been described as ‘trauma patients’ as 10 emergency services ground crews and at least two medical helicopters worked in the darkness through the chaos and carnage to carry out rescue operations.
The convoy of 10 emergency services vehicles raced to the Memorial Causeway bridge on Sunday evening with their sirens blaring and lights flashing as details of the collision emerged.
Simultaneously, at least two medical helicopters descended on the scene, with reports that a further two were on standby to help whisk critical patients to safety.
At least two victims who were ‘more seriously injured’ had to be flown to nearby hospitals.
The incident was reported about 8.40pm on Sunday near the Memorial Causeway bridge as the popular ferry came to a rest on the sandbar.
The ferry can carry as many as 50 passengers, and Sunday was the final day of the mammoth 17-day Sugar Sand Festival – meaning there were plenty of festivalgoers ferrying back and forth.
Clearwater Police Department issued a statement late on Sunday night urging motorists to avoid Memorial Causeway as they rush patients to various hospitals.
‘We’re working a boat crash off the Memorial Causeway bridge that has resulted in multiple injuries,’ police said in the statement.
A ‘mass casualty event’ is underway in Florida after an iconic Clearwater Ferry collided with another boat, which then fled the scene. Picture credit: Javier Vazquez/Facebook
At least six of the 42 passengers have been described as ‘trauma patients’ as emergency services crews on the scene work through the chaos and carnage to carry out rescue operations
The incident was reported about 8.40pm on Sunday near the Memorial Causeway bridge. Picture credit: Javier Vazquez/Facebook
‘It’s been declared a mass casualty incident by the fire department due to the number of injuries. All local hospitals have been notified.
‘Multiple trauma alerts have been called with helicopters transporting two of the more seriously injured.’
Police also revealed the ‘boat that struck the ferry fled the scene’ after the crash, adding there were six passengers on board the smaller boat, none of whom were injured.
It’s understood as many as 12 patients have been taken to various hospitals, with more still evaluated on the scene.
All of the injured patients were on board the ferry at the time of the crash.
One horrified onlooker took to X moments after the crash, revealing: ‘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. This is awful.’
A convoy of emergency services vehicles with their sirens blaring and lights flashing rushed to the boat ramp as medical helicopters also reportedly descended on the region
A ‘mass casualty event’ is underway in Florida after an iconic Clearwater Ferry collided with a sandbank.
Medical helicopters are on the scene trying to get critical patients to hospital
Police said emergency crews have now removed every passenger and patient from the ferry, which ‘came to rest on a sandbar just south of the Memorial Causeway bridge.’
The US Coast Guard and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will lead an investigation into the crash.
This is a breaking news story. More to come.
