A tragic boating accident occurred in Clearwater, Florida, on Sunday night, resulting in one death and injuries to ten others. Around 8:40 p.m., a 37-foot recreational boat crashed into the back of a 40-foot commercial ferry returning from Clearwater Beach, which was transporting 45 passengers and crew members. Police Chief Eric Gandy indicated that the smaller boat “overrode nearly three-quarters” of the ferry, leading to substantial damage.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), both vessels became “fully entangled” during the collision. First responders were alerted to the severity of the situation when 911 operators reported hearing “horrific screaming” during calls for help. In a mayday call from the scene, someone reported: “Mayday, mayday, mayday. There’s been a boat collision. The Clearwater Ferry underneath the Clearwater Memorial Causeway. The Clearwater Ferry is adrift.”
The victim was identified as 41-year-old Jose Castro from Palm Harbor. Injured individuals were transported to local hospitals in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Tampa. Chief Gandy expressed condolences to the families involved, particularly to those of the deceased and children aboard the ferry, praising the crew for likely preventing further casualties.
The recreational boat did not remain at the scene but was later located about three miles south by sheriff’s deputies, with the driver, 63-year-old Jeff Knight, and his passengers still onboard. Knight cooperated with authorities during the investigation and underwent a breathalyzer test, which showed no alcohol consumption. The investigation continues as authorities examine the circumstances of the crash.
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