At least one dead & multiple injured as ferry crashes into another boat in ‘mass casualty event' in Florida
A PACKED ferry carrying dozens of festivalgoers was left stranded and battered after a horror hit-and-run crash on the water — leaving one dead and at least a dozen injured.
The Clearwater Ferry was taking passengers back from the final night of Florida's 17-day Sugar Sand Festival when it was struck by a private boat.
5
Law enforcement investigate an accident involving a Clearwater Ferry at the Memorial Causeway on Sunday
Credit: Rex
5
Investigators and rescue workers on the beach near the crash site
Credit: Rex
5
A man believed to be 'the driver of the boat' (R) that crashed into the Clearwater Ferry
Credit: Rex
The horror crash unfolded near the Memorial Causeway Bridge just after 10pm Sunday.
Terrifying images show the ferry grounded on a sandbar as emergency crews declared a 'mass
casualty
event' and raced to haul terrified passengers to safety.
Pictures of the aftermath show the boat's rear smashed in, with chairs collapsed in on themselves and parts of the roof completely destroyed.
Clearwater Police said the private boat fled the scene after the smash.
It was later located with six passengers on board, but nobody was injured.
Cops also cautioned drivers to avoid Memorial Causeway while they urgently rushed patients to various hospitals.
Passenger Marco Vacheco told local outlet 10 Tampa Bay: 'It was like a big yacht, it hit from behind, like it came through where the captain sits, like he was pinned down.'
His wife, Brenda Alvarez, hailed brave first responders who waded through shallow waters to rescue their children.
Most read in The US Sun
'Where we were, it was really shallow, so there was actually some paramedics that went out there and helped my children and I get off the boat,' she said.
At least 5 killed as plane crashes into the sea in Thailand during drill
All of those hurt were aboard the ferry, which was carrying 43 passengers and two crew members at the time of the collision.
Six passengers were declared 'trauma patients,' with two of them airlifted to hospital by medical helicopters, police said.
The man suspected of being behind the wheel of the boat which fled the scene was pictured walking with an investigator.
One terrified onlooker who witnessed the horror
"I think over 4 helicopters airlifting people out so far."
They added: "I don't even know how many ambulances are there.
"Every minute there's more and more. This is awful."
Emergency services had removed and accounted for every passenger on board the ferry by about 10:30pm, according to cops.
They also confirmed that one person had died from their injuries.
Clearwater Police Department said: "The boat that fled the scene has been identified by another law enforcement agency."
The US Coast Guard and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission will now launch a probe to investigate the crash.
Read more on the Irish Sun
It comes after an out-of-control
Dramatic footage showed the vessel smashing into
an iconic lake as onlookers watch on in
.
5
Investigators search the wreckage of the Clearwater Ferry after the crash
Credit: AP
5
Rescue workers gather at the Seminole Boat ramp north of where the boat crashed into the ferry
Credit: AP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Inside Michael Schumacher's tragic health battle in Majorca hideaway – as pal makes heartbreaking prediction for future
WITH fists pumping and arms aloft, racing great Michael Schumacher celebrated his many victories with the same energy as his driving. And that is how the Formula One team boss who turned the German legend into a champion three decades ago prefers to think of him. 7 Michael Schumacher in his prime competing for Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix in 2004 Credit: AP:Associated Press 7 Pictures show the helicopter rescue operation in 2013 following Michael's skiing accident in the French resort of Meribel Credit: Nick Haley 7 Michael with wife Corinna and their children Gina-Maria and Mick in 2021 Netflix documentary Credit: Netflix Not as the incapacitated survivor of a Italian businessman 'I prefer to remember him like that rather than him just lying on a bed.' Off the track he would party with pals, smoke big cigars, sky dive, scuba dive and fly helicopters. 'Michael communicates with his eyes' But nothing has been seen of Michael since his Rumours of medical miracles, appearances, fresh photos and interviews frequently spread online. But a Formula One insider tells The Sun that like Flavio, the world needs to get used to not seeing Michael's beaming smile anymore. Craig Scarborough, who has been covering the sport for around 25 years and interviewed Michael many times, reveals: 'I spoke to someone who is very, very close to him and they just explained we're not going to hear any more from him. Emotional moment Michael Schumacher's son and Sebastian Vettel pay tribute to stricken F1 legend 'He's in a comfortable position as far as he can be with his state of health.' It has been reported that only three people see Michael at his secluded home on the Spanish island of Majorca. Even Flavio, 75, who has been a close friend of Michael since they began working together at the Benetton racing team in 1991, has not seen him for a while. But the Italian says he 'often' speaks to Much of her time is said to be consumed by maintaining her husband's care and keeping the exact details of his current health condition a secret. And Yilmaz Tozturkan, 53, and his son Daniel Lins, 30, threatened to publish videos and pictures of Michael unless they were Security guard Markus Fritsche had copied the private material while working for the Schumachers and sold it to the two men. 7 Michael on the slopes in Italy in 2003 Credit: Rex Features 7 Corinna and Gina accepting a German lifetime achievement award on Michael's behalf in 2022 in Cologne Credit: Rex In February the trio were found guilty of their part in the Fritsche was given a two-year suspended sentence, while Tozturkan was jailed for three years and Lins was given a six-month suspended prison sentence by a German court. Corinna wanted a harsher sentence for Fritsche. She said: 'What still shocks me most is the massive breach of trust. 'He should receive a punishment for this that deters others from potentially doing the same.' And last October stories emerged claiming that Guests and staff had to hand over their mobile phones, while security guards made sure no one could snoop on the ceremony or party. But Michael's former Benetton teammate Johnny Herbert said: 'From what I understand, that was We do everything we can to make Michael better and to make sure he's comfortable. Corinna Schumacher While it remains possible that Schumacher did attend the wedding in a wheelchair, another story was definitely made up. Last year Corinna successfully sued German magazine Die Aktuelle for claiming on its cover 'Michael Schumacher, the first interview!' In fact the quotes had been generated by artificial intelligence. What no outsider can be sure about is whether Michael could give an interview if he wanted to. There have been conflicting accounts of his health condition. When Michael's head hit a boulder in the skiing accident 12 years ago, it split his helmet in two. The brain injury was so serious that he spent 250 days in a coma. The best medical treatment that money could buy brought the sports star, worth £468million, back to consciousness. There had been rumours that further treatment in Paris had allowed Michael to take small steps, but that was later dismissed. 7 Michael won a record-breaking seven Formula One world championships Credit: Getty 7 Flavio Briatore, seen here at Monaco GP last month, spoke about his former Benetton driver Credit: Getty Most people in the know indicate that he is unable to talk, although it is possible he could use eye movements to send messages like the late scientist Stephen Hawking did. In 2020 Flavio's former wife Elisabetta Gregoraci claimed: 'Michael doesn't speak, he communicates with his eyes.' Friends do visit and he still follows sports. Former Ferrari F1 chief Jean Todt said: 'I can see him but of course, what I miss is what we used to do together. 'I watch Grand Prix with Michael.' Corinna also indicated there was an attempt to maintain normality in difficult circumstances. She said in a 2021 Netflix documentary: 'We're together. 'We live together at home. 'We do therapy. 'We're trying to carry on as a family' 'We do everything we can to make Michael better and to make sure he's comfortable. And to simply make him feel our family, our bond. 'And no matter what, I will do everything I can. We all will. 'We're trying to carry on as a family, the way Michael liked it and still does.' I hope they can find happiness in the situation they find themselves in. Craig Scarborough It was reported by German media, ahead of the ten-year anniversary of his skiing accident in 2023, that Schumacher receives 24-hour care from a team of up to 15 people. He has been driven in a Mercedes road car, and played sounds from the F1 track, to stimulate his brain with familiar noises. There has been plenty of good family news to lift Michael's spirits. Last month he became a grandfather for the first time when Gina gave birth to her daughter Millie. And his son Mick, 26, is said to have found love with Danish model Laila Hasanovic, 23, who is reportedly trusted enough to have visited Michael. Mick, who spent two years as a F1 driver, was only 14 when his dad suffered the debilitating head injury. In the He commented: 'I think dad and I would understand each other in a different way now, simply because we speak a similar language, the language of motorsport, and we would have a lot to talk about. "That's where my head is at most of the time, thinking that would be so cool. I'd give anything just for that.' Craig reckons having close personal time with Mick and other family members is vital for the stricken motorsports star. Physical workload He says: 'I think a lot of people demand stuff from him and I think that's wrong. 'He is himself, and his family have a lot to contend with. 'Until you've cared for somebody, I don't think anyone realises the emotion and the physical workload. "The fact that they have been bold enough to withdraw from public life and not be tempted to do exclusives out there to various people, I think, is noble, and I hope that continues. 'I hope they can find happiness in the situation they find themselves in.' Like Flavio, Craig is more comfortable talking about the Michael people knew before the ski tragedy. He says: 'He was a guy who enjoyed his personal time. 'He loved his family. 'He did lots of lovely things. 'He clearly liked a drink. 'He loved a big cigar. 'But he had lots of time to bring up his son.' While it is understandable that Michael's army of fans want to hear from him again, they may have to make do with recalling his past glories. There were certainly more than enough of them for Flavio and others to remember.
Extra.ie
5 days ago
- Extra.ie
Who is Sunny Jacobs? Tributes pour in for death row campaigner after tragic house fire
Tributes are pouring in following the tragic death of a Floridian woman who was on death row in the USA following a house fire in Galway. Sonia 'Sunny' Jacobs, 76, and a man in his 30s, understood to be her carer, died in the fire in Casla, a village in Connemara, in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The bodies were recovered from the home and transferred to the mortuary at University Hospital, Galway. Sonia 'Sunny' Jacobs, 76, and man (30s) understood to be her carer died in the fire in Casla, a village in Connemara in the early hours of Tuesday (June 3) morning. Pic: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock A statement from An Garda Síochána appealed for witnesses to the tragedy as they confirmed the results of the post-mortems of Ms Jacobs and her carer would determine the course of the Garda investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact Clifden Garda Station on 095 22500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. Tributes are pouring in online for the 76-year-old who worked as a yoga teacher and had founded a charity to help those who had been in the same situation as herself. One person wrote: 'I am sad to share news of the passing of my dear friend, a true hero and a champion for justice, Sunny Jacobs.' Sinn Féin's Aoife Masterson added: 'I am so sorry to learn of the passing of Sunny Jacobs a powerful woman and tireless advocate for human rights. 'I got to know Sunny and her partner Peter through my work with the Innocence Project, in both Ireland and Ohio.' Ms Masterson added that one of the reasons she got involved in politics was 'because knowing and representing people like Sunny made me so acutely aware that justice can never be taken for granted.' Masterson added: 'Because the system fails too many people in too many ways. Sonia 'Sunny' Jacobs. Pic: Steve Meddle/REX/Shutterstock 'Sunny understood that more than most, more than any one person ever should.' Another friend of the late Sunny's added that at the age of nearly 77 years old, the American native still worked tirelessly and carried out daily international phone calls, Zoom meetings, talks, podcasts, media and events along with fundraising for the Sunny Foundation. 'She never stopped giving, and in all of this, she kept gratitude at the heart of her practice,' they shared, 'Always grateful for the beauty, for animals, for nature, for friendship for life.' Ms Jacobs is a Florida native who spent 17 years in prison in America after she was wrongfully accused of killing two police officers in 1976. She had been sentenced to the electric chair, but that was changed to a life sentence, which she was later exonerated from. The campaigner and her then-husband, Jesse Tafero, were wrongfully convicted after a man called Walter Rhodes shot and killed the police. Mr Tafero was executed, with a malfunction of the electric chair, meaning the wronged man spent more than 12 minutes awaiting his death. Rhodes later confessed to the murder of the two officers. Jacobs was released in 1992 after entering an Alford plea. This meant that while she didn't admit to the crime, she accepted an imposed sentence. Sonia 'Sunny' Jacobs and Peter Pringle in 2018. Pic: Collins Courts Following her time in prison, Ms Jacobs met her second husband, Peter Pringle. Pringle was also exonerated of murdering two Gardaí. He spent 15 years incarcerated before he was released in 1995. Jacobs and Pringle met in 1998 and bonded through their shared experiences of being wrongfully convicted of crimes they did not commit. The pair wed in 2011, and in 2012 began welcoming exonerees into their home, which led to the founding of their charity organisation. The Sunny Centre was established in 2014 and was a place where the couple helped those who had been released from prison after being wrongfully convicted. The Connemara-based organization gives people who have been exonerated and released from prison help in dealing with the injustice of their wrongful convictions. In 2018, the couple opened The Sunny Living Centre in Florida, which was a housing complex in Tampa, Florida, for those who had been exonerated.
Extra.ie
6 days ago
- Extra.ie
New search for Madeline McCann underway in Portugal
Police in Portugal are conducting a new search for missing toddler Madeline McCann near the resort where she disappeared in 2007 while on holiday with her family. Portuguese officers say they are carrying out a European investigation order from German authorities, and will use radar equipment to scan beneath the ground at a number of locations close to the resort of Praia de Luz where the McCann family were holidaying with friends when Madeleine went missing. Pic: PA Wire Police in Britain say they will not be taking part in this new investigation but will 'support our International colleagues where necessary' More than 20 plots of land are marked out to be searched using radar equipment this week. German police last searched an area close to Praia de Luz in 2023 but nothing was found. A German man, Christian Brueckner, is currently the only person of interest in the case, suspected of being involved in Madeleine's disappearance. Christian Brueckner. Pic: REX/Shutterstock He is currently in prison serving a sentence for the rape of an elderly American woman in Praia de Luz in 2005. He has always denied any involvement in the disappearance of Madeleine and has not been charged or indicted in the case. Last month Maddies parents, Kate and Gerry McCann marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance and vowed they would keep searching for their daughter, 'No matter how near or far she is, she continues to be right here with us every day' they said. (Photo by) Madeline, who was just 3 years old when she disappeared from the family's holiday apartment during the night, while her parents had dinner with friends in a nearby restaurant, would be 22 years old this year. Her family have vowed to continue to 'celebrate her as the very beautiful and unique person she is. We miss her'
