CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — One individual has died and several other have been injured Sunday when a ship crashed right into a ferry off the Memorial Causeway Bridge after which fled the scene, authorities mentioned.
The Clearwater Police Division posted on X that there have been a number of accidents and the crash had been declared “a mass casualty incident” by the Clearwater Hearth & Rescue Division because of the variety of accidents.
All of these injured have been aboard the ferry, which was carrying greater than 40 folks. Police didn’t present any details about the one that died.
The ferry got here to relaxation on a sandbar simply south of the Memorial Causeway bridge and all sufferers and passengers have been eliminated.
Police didn’t instantly present any details about the boat that fled the scene.
Authorities didn’t instantly present the variety of those that have been damage.
“All native hospitals have been notified. A number of trauma alerts have been known as with helicopters transporting two of the extra critically injured,” the publish mentioned.
Movies on social media confirmed a number of first responders speeding to the scene with lights flashing.
Police cautioned drivers to keep away from Memorial Causeway.
The U.S. Coast Guard and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Fee will examine the crash.