A serene Sunday evening turned tragic as a recreational vessel collided with a Clearwater Ferry, resulting in one fatality and injuries off Clearwater Memorial Causeway Bridge, officials reported.
The recreational vessel collided on Sunday with the Clearwater Ferry transporting 45 people. One person was reported deceased, and 12 people were transported to local hospitals for care.
The condition of those injured remains unknown.
A Clearwater Ferry crew member hailed the US Coast Guard on VHF-FM channel 16 at approximately 8:40 p.m., reporting the ferry was hit by a recreational vessel, and there were reported injuries, the US Coast Guard said in its statement on Monday.
There were reportedly 45 people on the ferry and six people on the recreational vessel.
The crash set off an emergency response due to the high number of injuries.
The US Coast Guard said that Coast Guard Station Sand Key and partner agency crews responded to a vessel collision involving the Clearwater Ferry and a recreational boat on Sunday, off Clearwater Memorial Causeway Bridge.
“We’d like to offer our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the deceased,” said Cmdr. Fredrick Pugh, chief of response, sector St. Petersburg. “Coast Guard investigative officers and FWC are working to determine the cause of the collision and verify the details leading up to the incident.”
The cause of the collision is under investigation by the Coast Guard and FWC.
