Tragedy Strikes in Clearwater: One Dead, Twelve Hospitalized After Clearwater Ferry Collision Near Memorial Causeway Bridge
Clearwater, Florida —
A tragic accident unfolded late Sunday evening, April 27, 2025, when a collision involving the Clearwater Ferry and another vessel left one person dead and at least twelve others hospitalized. Authorities are calling the event a mass casualty incident that has shaken the Clearwater community.
The crash occurred around 8:43 p.m. near the Memorial Causeway Bridge, a well-traveled route connecting Clearwater to Clearwater Beach. According to officials, the Clearwater Ferry — carrying over 40 passengers — was struck by a recreational boat that fled the scene immediately after the collision.
The impact was severe enough to prompt a large-scale emergency response.
The Clearwater Fire Department quickly declared the scene a mass casualty event due to the volume and seriousness of injuries. Multiple emergency agencies — including fire crews, police units, emergency medical teams, and Coast Guard personnel — rushed to the crash site within minutes.
First responders evaluated approximately 51 individuals at the scene. Of those, 12 victims required transport to nearby hospitals for further medical attention. At least six patients were classified as trauma alerts, meaning their injuries were critical enough to require urgent advanced care. Two of the most seriously injured passengers were airlifted by helicopter to trauma centers in the Tampa Bay area.
Initial reports from medical personnel at the scene indicate that many victims suffered broken bones, lacerations, and other serious injuries related to blunt-force trauma.
The ferry ultimately came to rest on a sandbar located just south of the Memorial Causeway Bridge.
Despite the chaos of the crash, officials confirmed that all passengers were safely evacuated from the vessel and accounted for. Fortunately, there are no reports of missing individuals at this time.
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have launched a joint investigation into the crash. Clearwater Police later announced that the second vessel — a recreational boat suspected of hitting the ferry — had been located. The occupants of that vessel were found undergoing medical evaluation at the Belleair Boat Ramp, approximately 3.75 miles south of the crash scene.
The identities of those involved have not yet been publicly released, pending notification of families. The individual who tragically lost their life in the crash has also not been formally identified as of Monday morning.
Clearwater officials shared updated photos late Sunday night, showing a damaged ferry stranded near the bridge under a backdrop of flashing lights and rescue operations.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who possesses video footage of the incident to come forward.
Witnesses or anyone with information can contact the Clearwater Police Department non-emergency line immediately.
As the investigation continues, Clearwater remains in mourning — grappling with the aftermath of an incident that turned an ordinary evening ferry ride into a scene of chaos, loss, and heartbreak.