One dead, multiple injured in Clearwater ferry collision

A boat collided with a ferry carrying over 40 people near Clearwater's Memorial Causeway Bridge in Florida, resulting in one death and multiple injuries. The incident, which occurred Sunday night, was declared a mass casualty event due to the number of injuries, with at least two people airlifted to the hospital and several others suffering traumatic injuries. The ferry came to rest on a sandbar after the crash, and all injuries reported were among ferry passengers. The boat that struck the ferry fled the scene, prompting an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Emergency services responded quickly, and all occupants of the ferry were accounted for following the incident. Authorities advised residents to avoid the area to allow emergency crews to operate efficiently.