Overview

• The collision occurred on April 27, 2025, at approximately 8:40 p.m., involving a ferry carrying 45 passengers and a recreational boat near Clearwater, Florida.
• One person has been confirmed dead, and multiple passengers were injured, including six trauma cases, two of whom were airlifted to hospitals.
• The boat that struck the ferry fled the scene but has since been identified by law enforcement, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission leading the investigation.
• Emergency responders declared the incident a mass casualty event due to the number and severity of injuries, with all affected individuals accounted for.
• The ferry was transporting passengers from the Sugar Sand Festival, a popular local event, when the collision occurred.