Clearwater ferry crash: One dead, multiple injured in ‘mass casualty event’ as ferry crashes in Florida

One person has died and a number of passengers are injured after a recreational boat hit a ferry in Florida, sparking a “mass casualty event”.

Emergency services are at the scene of the incident in the coastal city of Clearwater, with early reports indicating as many as 40 people are injured.

The US Coast Guard is reporting that a collision between a ferry and a recreational vehicle took place near the Memorial Causeway Bridge at 8.40pm local time.

The statement, released on X, said the Coast Guard and partner agencies were on the scene.

The City of Clearwater also released a statement confirming there were more than 40 passengers aboard the ferry.

“The Clearwater Ferry, which had more than 40 people aboard, was struck by another boat that then left the scene,” the statement said.

“The fire department declared it a mass casualty incident because of the number and severity of injuries.

“Six patients were declared as trauma alerts, with two of those being transported by helicopter.”

No passengers are reported missing.

The Clearwater Police Department said all locals hospitals had been notified.

“All of the injuries are from the ferry. The boat that struck the ferry fled the scene,” the statement on social media said..

“Multiple trauma alerts have been called with helicopters transporting two of the more seriously injured.

“Drivers should avoid Memorial Causeway.”

An NBC News affiliate cited an alert from the city of Clearwater saying the crash happened late at night just west of the bridge.

“The ferry came to rest on a sandbar just south of the Memorial Causeway bridge. All patients and passengers have been removed,” police said.

It was the end of the 17-day Sugar Sand Festival on Sunday night and many people were taking the ferry back and forth for the festival, media reports said.

An ABC News affiliate cited Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector to be saying that the boat that collided with the ferry was privately owned.

“We’re working (on) 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,” Clearwater Police Department said in its initial statement.

—With AAP