Authorities say 1 person killed in ferry-boat crash in Florida

Authorities said there were multiple injuries and the Coast Guard would be leading an investigation of the crash.

Published: April 27, 2025 11:50pm

Updated: April 28, 2025 10:41am

One person was killed and multiple were injured in a boat crash late Sunday in Florida, authorities said Monday. 

City of Clearwater Mayor said a local ABC-TV news outlet 

ABC Action News spoke with Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector, who said the Clearwater Ferry was in a collision with a privately owned boat. The ferry can carry 50 people.

The boat pilot reportedly sped off after the crash.  

In the immediate aftermath of the crash, police urged cars and boats to stay away from the Memorial Causeway bridge as firefighters tended to injured passengers on the ferry.

“It’s been declared a mass casualty incident by the fire department due to the number of injuries,” Clearwater Police said in a post on X. “All local hospitals have been notified.  Multiple trauma alerts have been called with helicopters transporting two of the more seriously injured.”

“All of the injuries are from the ferry.  The boat that struck the ferry fled the scene,” police added.

Authorities said the Coast Guard would be leading an investigation of the crash. 

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