It was captured on video.
A tragic boating accident in Clearwater, Florida, left one man dead and ten others injured after a recreational boat crashed into the rear of a commercial ferry. The collision occurred around 8:40 p.m. on a Sunday evening as the 40-foot ferry was returning from Clearwater Beach with 45 people onboard. Video released by police captured the moment of impact, and officials described the incident as a significant entanglement between the two vessels.
Clearwater Police Chief Eric Gandy said the recreational boat, a 37-foot vessel carrying about six individuals, overrode most of the ferry’s structure upon impact. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed both boats were heavily entangled, and the ferry sustained major damage. Emergency services were alerted by 911 calls that included screams in the background, signaling the seriousness of the event. A mayday call was also placed, reporting the crash and stating the ferry was adrift under the Clearwater Memorial Causeway.
The victim was identified as 41-year-old Jose Castro of Palm Harbor. The injured passengers were transported to hospitals in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Tampa. Gandy expressed sympathy for those affected and praised the ferry’s crew for their quick actions, which likely prevented more casualties. The scene described by responders was chaotic, with injured passengers and frightened children needing immediate assistance.
The recreational boat involved in the crash left the scene but was located a few miles south near the Belleair Causeway. Authorities found the driver, 63-year-old Jeff Knight, and his passengers still onboard. Knight cooperated with investigators and voluntarily took a breathalyzer test, which showed no traces of alcohol. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
