CLEARWATER, Fla. — One person is dead and several others were hospitalized after a boat crashed into a ferry carrying dozens of people near the Memorial Causeway Bridge Sunday night, according to the Clearwater Police Department.

Officials said a call reporting the boat crash came in at 8:43 p.m. on Sunday.

According to officials, 45 people were on the ferry at the time of the crash, including two crew members.

The boat that allegedly crashed into the ferry fled the scene, but has since been identified by authorities.

Ten ambulances and two helicopters responded to the scene. Officials said six people were considered trauma patients and two people were airlifted to the hospital. Four people were taken to the hospital by ambulance.

One person died from injuries sustained in the crash, officials said.

Officials said everyone on the boat was accounted for, and no one on the ferry was missing.

Witnesses described the chaotic scene Sunday night, including the suspected boat involved.

“It was like a big yacht, it hit from behind, like it came through where the captain sits, like he was pinned down,” recalled Marco Vacheco, who was on the ferry at the time of the crash. 

Vacheco’s wife, Brenda Alvarez, described first responders assisting her and her children.

“Where we were, it was really shallow, so there was actually some paramedics that went out there and helped my children and I get off the boat,” said Alvarez.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be taking the lead on the crash investigation.