PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — New video has surfaced of a Sunday night boat crash involving the Clearwater Ferry as several agencies continue to investigate what happened.
One person was killed in the incident, and 10 others were injured when a 37-foot recreational boat hit a 40-foot ferry.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is leading the investigation and says the recreational boat driver who hit the ferry has been cooperative. Investigators said that boater did remain at the scene for a period of time but left before police arrived.
Clearwater Police Chief Eric Gandy, at a Monday afternoon news conference, said 911 call takers heard reports of “horrific screaming.”
The Clearwater police chief, at a Monday afternoon news conference, said the actions of a ferry crew member likely saved lives. The fire department still looked into a number of injuries.
“We had multiple folks with broken bones, a lot of orthopedic injuries, a great deal of soft tissue injuries,” said Clearwater Fire Department Chief Tony Tedesco, who said some also suffered head injuries.
FWC Capt. Matthew Dallaros said the agency is looking into what happened before and after the crash.
“We’re going to try to build that timeline back and see who was making phone calls at what time,” he said. “And again, that’s the complexity of an event of this magnitude as well as when it involves boats like this. Again, every piece of evidence tries to float away. You’re dealing with a late night. And again, a lot of people to deal with.”
Investigators said 45 people were on the 40-foot long ferry when it was hit and that the boat driver voluntarily gave a breath sample that came back negative for alcohol.
FWC said it is still trying to determine if what happened was a hit and run.
The Coast Guard is also involved in the investigation.
FWC said it will prosecute if any crimes were found to be committed.
