Hundreds at Vigils Mourn Victims of Missouri Boat Accident
By AP. A Missouri town known for its country shows and entertainment mourned Friday after 17 people — including nine from one family — were killed when a tourist boat sank on churning water in a sudden storm.
The grief-stricken community hosted two separate vigils Friday night. In one, about 300 people gathered in the parking lot of Ride the Ducks of Branson and sang “Amazing Grace.” Mourners at a church sang the same words. . .
Twenty-nine passengers and two crew members were aboard for a pleasure cruise. Seven of the 14 survivors were hurt when the vessel went down. At least two children and two adults were still hospitalized Friday afternoon. The captain survived, authorities said. (Read more from “Hundreds at Vigils Mourn Victims of Missouri Boat Accident” HERE)
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Missouri Boat Accident Kills 17, Including Nine From One Family
By Reuters. The World War Two-style amphibious vehicle was carrying 31 passengers including children when the sudden “microburst” storm hit Table Rock Lake outside Branson, with waves slowly swamping the vehicle before it sank.
More than three dozen people have died in incidents involving duck boats on land and water in the United States over the past two decades.
Tia Coleman said she and her nephew were the only survivors from 11 members of their family who went on the “Ride The Ducks” tour. . .
She said the captain of the boat told them when they were in the lake not to put their life jackets on, an action she believed cost lives. The crew was warned to get in and out of the lake quickly as a storm was approaching, she said.
The 17 victims were aged between 1 and 70 and came from six U.S. states, authorities said. The included Arkansas residents Steve Smith and his son Lance, their church newspaper said. Smith’s daughter Loren survived. His wife opted not go on the tour, the paper said. (Read more from “Missouri Boat Accident Kills 17, Including Nine From One Family” HERE)
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