Clearwater Ferry Collision Leaves One Dead, Many Hurt

On April 27, 2025, a recreational boat collided with the Clearwater Ferry near Clearwater's Memorial Causeway Bridge, carrying 45 people including two crew members. The ferry was left stranded on a sandbar, resulting in one confirmed fatality and multiple injuries among ferry passengers, with six trauma alerts and two critically injured individuals airlifted to local hospitals. The incident prompted a mass casualty response and notifications to area hospitals. Authorities confirmed the recreational boat fled the scene but was subsequently located by law enforcement. The U.S. Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are leading the ongoing investigation, while police continue to account for all passengers. The cause of the collision is still under investigation, and officials have advised caution in the Memorial Causeway area.