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CNN
30-04-2025
- CNN
1 person died, 10 injured after a boat ‘shattered the whole back' of a ferry in Florida
A ferry ushering families from a popular sand sculpting competition in Florida was struck by a recreational boat Sunday evening in an apparent hit-and-run, killing one ferry passenger and injuring several others, police and witnesses said. The ferry was carrying people to and from the Sugar Sand Festival in Clearwater, CNN affiliate WFTS reported. The collision happened around 8:40 p.m. Sunday near the Clearwater Memorial Causeway Bridge when a 37-foot recreational boat carrying about six people struck the 40-foot ferry carrying about 45 people, according to Clearwater Police and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The recreational boat 'overrode nearly three-quarters of the ferry,' said Clearwater Police Department Chief Eric Gandy during a Monday news conference. Of the 10 people injured, six of them were transported to local hospitals as trauma alerts, Gandy said. The incident was declared 'a mass casualty incident by the fire department due to the number of injuries,' according to Clearwater police. The man who died was identified as Jose Castro, 41, of Palm Harbor, just a few miles north of Clearwater, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife spokesperson Hailee Seely. Officials have not released the names of the people injured. The US Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife are investigating the cause of the crash. Fish and Wildlife will lead the investigation, Clearwater police said. The ferry, as an inspected commercial vessel, falls under the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard, which will review compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations, according to Nicole Groll with USCG. Brenda Alvarez, who is about eight months pregnant, was on the ferry with her husband and two young children when a crew member started yelling, 'Hey, hey, hey!' the family told CNN affiliate WFTS. Alvarez's husband turned around to see a large boat 'just come through' the ferry, he said. The other boat 'shattered the whole back of' the ferry and 'left a huge dent,' Brenda Alvarez told WFTS. 'We can't understand how fast they were going.' Officers arrived to find a 'chaotic scene,' Clearwater city spokesperson Rob Shaw told CNN affiliate Bay News 9. Nearby 'good Samaritans' used their own boats to help evacuate passengers. The ferry came to rest on a sandbar, so some on board were able to walk to shore. But 'firefighters had to go into the water and help some people,' Shaw said. Kristin Vincelli, who was also leaving the festival, shared video with CNN showing emergency vehicles rushing toward the waterfront. The recreational boat did not stay at the crash scene but it is unclear if the collision is being investigated as a hit-and-run, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Captain Matthew Dallarosa. 'There is evidence that shows that the (recreational boat) did remain there for a period of time and then ultimately ended up at the Belleair Boat Ramp,' Dallarosa said Monday. Those injured in the collision were triaged at a separate boat ramp nearby, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife. So far, authorities have released few details about the boat that hit the ferry. As of Tuesday morning, no arrests had been made, Seely said. This story has been updated with additional information. CNN's Michelle Watson, Sarah Dewberry, Sara Smart and Martin Goillandeau contributed to this report.
Irish Examiner
28-04-2025
- Irish Examiner
Florida boat collision leaves one dead and at least 10 people injured
A recreational boat crashed into a ferry transporting 45 people on the final day of a sand-sculpting festival in Florida, killing one person and injuring at least 10 others, officials said. The crash late on Sunday in calm waters off Clearwater on the western Florida coast set off an emergency response due to the high number of possible casualties. Video of the accident released by law enforcement on Monday at a news conference showed the recreational vehicle ploughing into the ferry. 'We were just enjoying the ride and all of a sudden we heard the first mate yelling, 'Hey hey hey,'' Marco Vacheco, who was on the ferry with Brenda Alvarez and their two young children, told TV station WFTS. 'And we looked back behind us and this big yacht just came through the boat.' First responders gather on a beach near where the Memorial Causeway Bridge in Clearwater after the crash (Douglas R Clifford/Tampa Bay Times/AP) The operator of the recreational boat was co-operating with authorities, and a breathalyser test showed no alcohol impairment, officials said. The recreational boat stayed in the accident area for a short time; officers encountered it about 3.5 miles away. Officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were working with the State Attorney's Office to determine if any charges would be filed, officials said. Emergency dispatchers answering 911 calls from the accident scene heard 'horrific screaming' in the background, said Clearwater Police Chief Eric Gandy. The injured passengers had broken bones, soft-tissue injuries and head injuries, said Tony Tedesco, EMS chief for Clearwater Fire Rescue. All of those injured were adults aboard the ferry. Rescue workers gather at the Seminole boat ramp north of the crash scene (Douglas R Clifford/Tampa Bay Times/AP) 'When our crews first arrived, they found themselves in the water trying to rescue people,' Mr Tedesco said. 'On top of that, they're trying to figure out who was the most injured.' The ferry came to rest on a sandbar just south of the Memorial Causeway bridge. 'You never expect any of this to happen,' Brenda Alvarez said. 'We can't understand how fast they were going, like how that is even logically possible that they hit and were able to get off like that.' The family was not injured in the crash. The US Coast Guard said in a social media post that on-scene reports indicated that all 45 people on the ferry and all six people on the boat were accounted for. 'All local hospitals have been notified. Multiple trauma alerts have been called with helicopters transporting two of the more seriously injured,' the post said. Investigators search the wreckage of the Clearwater Ferry after the crash (Douglas R Clifford/Tampa Bay Times/AP) Videos on social media showed several first responders rushing to the scene with lights flashing. Several Good Samaritans also helped the ferry passengers get to safety, officials said. Sunday was the last day of the Sugar Sand Festival, a 17-day sand-sculpting festival in Clearwater Beach. The Coast Guard said the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Florida boat collision leaves one dead and at least 10 people injured
A recreational boat crashed into a ferry transporting 45 people on the final day of a sand-sculpting festival in Florida, killing one person and injuring at least 10 others, officials said. The crash late on Sunday in calm waters off Clearwater on the western Florida coast set off an emergency response due to the high number of possible casualties. Video of the accident released by law enforcement on Monday at a news conference showed the recreational vehicle ploughing into the ferry. 'We were just enjoying the ride and all of a sudden we heard the first mate yelling, 'Hey hey hey,'' Marco Vacheco, who was on the ferry with Brenda Alvarez and their two young children, told TV station WFTS. 'And we looked back behind us and this big yacht just came through the boat.' The operator of the recreational boat was co-operating with authorities, and a breathalyser test showed no alcohol impairment, officials said. The recreational boat stayed in the accident area for a short time; officers encountered it about 3.5 miles away. Officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were working with the State Attorney's Office to determine if any charges would be filed, officials said. Emergency dispatchers answering 911 calls from the accident scene heard 'horrific screaming' in the background, said Clearwater Police Chief Eric Gandy. The injured passengers had broken bones, soft-tissue injuries and head injuries, said Tony Tedesco, EMS chief for Clearwater Fire Rescue. All of those injured were adults aboard the ferry. 'When our crews first arrived, they found themselves in the water trying to rescue people,' Mr Tedesco said. 'On top of that, they're trying to figure out who was the most injured.' The ferry came to rest on a sandbar just south of the Memorial Causeway bridge. 'You never expect any of this to happen,' Brenda Alvarez said. 'We can't understand how fast they were going, like how that is even logically possible that they hit and were able to get off like that.' The family was not injured in the crash. The US Coast Guard said in a social media post that on-scene reports indicated that all 45 people on the ferry and all six people on the boat were accounted for. 'All local hospitals have been notified. Multiple trauma alerts have been called with helicopters transporting two of the more seriously injured,' the post said. Videos on social media showed several first responders rushing to the scene with lights flashing. Several Good Samaritans also helped the ferry passengers get to safety, officials said. Sunday was the last day of the Sugar Sand Festival, a 17-day sand-sculpting festival in Clearwater Beach. The Coast Guard said the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash.
Toronto Star
28-04-2025
- Toronto Star
Florida boat collision leaves 1 dead, at least a dozen injured
CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — A boat crashed into a ferry transporting 45 people on the final day of a sand-sculpting festival in Florida, killing one person and injuring at least 12 others, officials said. The crash late Sunday in calm waters off Clearwater on the western Florida coast set off an emergency response due to the high number of possible casualties. 'We were just enjoying the ride and all of a sudden we heard the first mate yelling. 'hey hey hey,'' Marco Vacheco, who was on the ferry with Brenda Alvarez and their two young children, told WFTS. 'And we looked back behind us and this big yacht just came through the boat.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The boat then fled the scene, authorities said. The Clearwater Police Department posted on X that there were multiple injuries, and the crash in the Intracoastal Waterway had been declared 'a mass casualty incident' by the Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department due to the number of injuries. All of those injured were aboard the ferry. Police did not provide any information about the person who died, but a news conference was scheduled for Monday afternoon. The ferry came to rest on a sandbar just south of the Memorial Causeway bridge and all patients and passengers have been removed. 'You never expect any of this to happen,' Brenda Alvarez said. 'We can't understand how fast they were going, like how that is even logically possible that they hit and were able to get off like that.' The family was not injured in the crash. The U.S. Coast Guard said in a social media post that on-scene reports indicate that all 45 people on the ferry and all six people on the boat were accounted for. In an update on Monday morning, the Coast Guard said 12 people were taken to a local hospital. Police did not immediately provide any information about the boat that fled the scene. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'All local hospitals have been notified. Multiple trauma alerts have been called with helicopters transporting two of the more seriously injured,' the post said. Videos on social media showed several first responders rushing to the scene with lights flashing. Sunday was the last day of the Sugar Sand Festival, a 17-day sand-sculpting festival in Clearwater Beach. Police cautioned drivers to avoid Memorial Causeway. The Coast Guard said the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
1 Dead, Multiple Others Seriously Injured in ‘Mass Casualty' Event After Boat Crashes into Ferry in Florida
One person has been killed and multiple others are seriously injured following a boat crash in Florida. A boat struck a Clearwater Ferry carrying over 40 people near the Memorial Causeway bridge in Clearwater before leaving the scene at around 8:40 p.m. local time on Sunday, April 27, the Clearwater Police announced in a Facebook post. Authorities declared the crash a 'mass casualty incident" with "multiple serious injuries." Police confirmed that one person died from their injuries. The male victim has not been identified at this time. "The fire department declared it a mass casualty incident because of the number and severity of injuries," police shared in their post. "Six patients were declared as trauma alerts, with two of those being transported by helicopter." All injuries in the crash were from the ferry, police confirmed on X. All patients and passengers were eventually removed from the ferry as it came to rest south of the Memorial Causeway bridge. Related: 3 Dead in 'Tragic Boating Accident' at Alabama Fishing Tournament: Reports The ferry was transporting crowds of people back and forth for the Sugar Sand Festival that concluded on Sunday, CNN reported. One passenger told ABC affiliate WFTS, "We were just enjoying the ride, and then all of a sudden we hear the first mate yelling, 'Hey, hey, hey.' And then we looked back behind us and this big yacht just came through the boat.' The six people on board the boat that crashed into the ferry reportedly left the scene. The boat was later located by another law enforcement agency, ABC News reported, citing the U.S. Coast Guard and Clearwater Police. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Related: At Least 50 Dead, Hundreds Missing After Fire Causes Boat to Capsize on Late Night River Voyage The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be leading the investigation into the crash, police said. Police spokesperson Rob Shaw told WFTS that authorities are urging any witnesses with information about the crash to come forward. PEOPLE has contacted the Clearwater Police and U.S. Coast Guard for further comment. Read the original article on People
