“All of the injuries are from the ferry. The boat that struck the ferry fled the scene,” Clearwater police said on social media.

“The ferry came to rest on a sandbar just south of the Memorial Causeway Bridge. All patients and passengers have been removed,” they added.

“All local hospitals have been notified. Multiple trauma alerts have been called with helicopters transporting two of the more seriously injured,” the post said.

The accident happened at the end of a 17-day sand sculpture festival on Sunday night and many people were taking the ferry back and forth, according to media reports.

The US coast guard and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission will investigate the crash.