Crash Near Kingfish Boat Ramp Temporarily Cut Off Access to Anna Maria Island
Two people were injured in a traffic crash near the Kingfish Boat Ramp in Holmes Beach on Monday morning that temporarily blocked both lanes of Manatee Avenue and disrupted traffic to and from Anna Maria Island for approximately two hours.
According to the Holmes Beach Police Department, the crash occurred shortly before 9:30 a.m. near the Kingfish Boat Ramp. Police said a vehicle towing a boat was exiting the ramp when it was struck by another vehicle traveling on Manatee Avenue.
The impact caused the boat to separate from its trailer and come to rest across both eastbound and westbound lanes, completely blocking traffic in the area. The crash created significant delays for holiday travelers heading to and from the island during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Authorities initially advised motorists to use the Cortez Bridge as an alternate route while emergency crews worked to clear the roadway. Police were eventually able to divert some traffic slowly around the crash scene as cleanup operations continued.
Holmes Beach Police Chief William Tokajer said two people suffered injuries in the crash and were transported to area hospitals for treatment. The extent of their injuries has not been released.
The roadway reopened approximately two hours later after crews removed the damaged vehicles and boat from the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
