Clearwater Ferry Crash: Firefighters Describe Rescue Efforts and Chaos

First Responders Arrive at Scene

• 🚨 Clearwater firefighters were eating dinner when they received a "Mayday, mayday, mayday" call about a collision between a recreational boat and the Clearwater Ferry.
• 🚒 Moments after the call, firefighters suited up and responded, quickly realizing the situation was significant with multiple patients injured.
• 🌊 Upon arrival, firefighters observed the severity of the crash, with people screaming and injured individuals, including parents searching for their children.

Rescue Operations and Triage

• wading through waist-deep water due to low tide, firefighters were able to board the ferry to assist.
• 🩹 Fire medic Nathan Vasquez described the scene as chaos, focusing on stopping major bleeding and triaging patients.
• 🚑 More than 40 people were on the ferry, with 10 injured and one fatality, Joseé Castro, a 41-year-old father of two.
• ⛑️ Emergency crews prioritized helping the most critical patients first, utilizing interventions like tourniquets.

Recreational Boat Operator's Account

• 🚤 The recreational boat was operated by Jeffrey Knight, whose attorney stated he did not leave the scene but remained to help victims.
• 🚢 Knight's attorney claims his client only left after emergency crews arrived and his boat began taking on too much water.

Aftermath and Preparedness

• 👏 First responders emphasized the importance of proper training, equipment, and readiness for such emergencies.
• 💼 Jeffrey Knight, the operator of the recreational vessel, announced he is stepping down from his position with the concert venue Janice Live in St. Pete, though the business will continue operating.