Emergency services have rushed to the scene of a ferry crash near the Memorial Causeway Bridge in Clearwater, Florida which has resulted one reported death so far and several poeple needing hospital treatment.
A boat has reportedly crashed into a ferry but the boat quickly fled the scene after hitting the ferry, according to the Clearwater Police Department. Multiple helicopters have been seen airlifting victims to nearby hospitals. Emergency responders are on-site, and authorities are investigating the cause of the incident.
Earlier reports said the ferry was carrying 40 to 50 passengers at the time of the collision. One person is said to have died as reported by the Pinellas County Fire and EMS Scanner, which stated "CFR units on scene boating accident inv ferry (sic). Multiple trauma alerts. At least 1 fatality."
Videos of the response circulating on X shows a long convoy of both police and EMS officials rushing to the scene as red and blue lights fill the sky. According to maritime officials speaking over a police scanner, there were "multiple red tag victims" among the injured.The term denotes a victim that has endured severe injuries but who also has a high chance for survival, according to the National Institute of Health.Eyewitnesses say at least four people have been airlifted to hospital so far in completely chaotic scenes. Fire officials are calling it a "mass casualty event".
In a statement on X The Clearwater Police Department shared: "Along with @clearwaterfire, we’re working a boat crash off the Memorial Causeway bridge that has resulted in multiple injuries. 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. Drivers should avoid Memorial Causeway."
The cause of the crash and the exact number of injured persons has not been confirmed by authorities.
