Mayor: Fish and Wildlife leading probe of causeway-area boating accident; Clearwater first responders praised

Clearwater’s mayor on May 1 praised local first responders for their work at a recent boating accident near the causeway and said the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is leading the official investigation.

“There’s a lot of misinformation… about whose role it is to investigate the accident and to bring charges,” the mayor said, adding that Clearwater Fire Rescue and the Clearwater Police Department “did its role admirably extraordinarily.” The mayor described the scene as chaotic after the boat was moved to a sandbar and people accessed it by land and sea, and said local responders had to control the scene and render medical aid.

The mayor emphasized that the FWC is “in control of” the investigation and that Clearwater’s role was to secure the scene and allow investigators to do their work. “They’re in control of whatever happens out of the investigation, what’s determined, you know, who, if anybody, is charged. That's FWC,” the mayor said.

Council members expressed sympathy for those affected and thanked first responders. The mayor also publicly acknowledged difficulties managing the scene because of bystanders arriving on foot and by vehicle, and said the department's response allowed timely medical care for the injured.

No findings or charges had been announced at the May 1 meeting; the mayor urged the public to await the FWC investigation for determinations about cause and any possible charges.