Daijiworld Media Network- Florida

Florida, Apr 28: A tragic boating accident off the Memorial Causeway Bridge in Clearwater, Florida, has claimed one life and left several others injured, prompting authorities to declare it a "mass casualty incident" late Sunday evening.

According to reports, a boat collided with a ferry carrying over 40 passengers before fleeing the scene, leaving chaos and panic in its wake. The Clearwater Police Department confirmed that all the injured individuals were passengers aboard the ferry. However, details about the deceased victim have not been officially disclosed.

Emergency teams responded swiftly as the ferry came to a halt on a sandbar just south of the Memorial Causeway Bridge. Authorities stated that all patients and passengers were safely evacuated from the vessel.

With the situation escalating rapidly, multiple trauma alerts were sounded. Helicopters were seen transporting two of the more critically injured to nearby hospitals, while others were rushed by ambulance. Police urged motorists to avoid the Memorial Causeway as first responders continued operations at the crash site, leading to massive emergency activity well into the night.

The vessel responsible for the crash reportedly fled the scene. The US Coast Guard and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission have launched an investigation into the incident, including efforts to track down the absconding boat.

Dramatic videos shared across social media platforms captured flashing emergency lights and scores of responders rushing to aid victims, highlighting the scale and urgency of the tragedy.
Further updates are awaited as authorities piece together the sequence of events leading to the horrific crash.