1 dead as Florida authorities declare a ‘mass casualty’ in boat crash near Clearwater bridge

CLEARWATER, Fla. – One idiosyncratic has died and respective were injured Sunday erstwhile a vessel crashed into a ferry disconnected the Memorial Causeway Bridge and past fled the scene, authorities said.

The Clearwater Police Department posted connected X that determination were aggregate injuries and the clang had been declared “a wide casualty incident” by the Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department owed to the fig of injuries.

All of those injured were aboard the ferry, which was carrying much than 40 people. Police did not supply immoderate accusation astir the idiosyncratic who died.

The ferry came to remainder connected a sandbar conscionable southbound of the Memorial Causeway span and each patients and passengers person been removed.

Police did not instantly supply immoderate accusation astir the vessel that fled the scene.

Authorities did not instantly supply the fig of those who were hurt.

“All section hospitals person been notified. Multiple trauma alerts person been called with helicopters transporting 2 of the much earnestly injured,” the station said.

Videos connected societal media showed respective archetypal responders rushing to the country with lights flashing.

Police cautioned drivers to debar Memorial Causeway.

The U.S. Coast Guard and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission volition analyse the crash.

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