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U.S. NEWS Saturday 21 July 2018

Branson mourns for 17 killed in sinking of packed duck boat

By MARGARET STAFFORD miles (64 kilometers) north
Associated Press of Branson, issued a severe
BRANSON, Mo. (AP) — The thunderstorm watch for its
country-and-western tourist immediate area Thursday,
town of Branson, Missouri, saying conditions were
mourned Friday for more ripe for winds of 70 mph.
than a dozen sightseers It followed up at 6:32 p.m.
who were killed when a with a severe thunderstorm
duck boat capsized and warning for three counties
sank in stormy weather that included Branson and
in the deadliest such ac- the lake. The warning men-
cident in almost two de- tioned both locations. The
cades. boat went down about 40
Divers found four more minutes later, shortly after 7
bodies in Table Rock Lake, p.m.
bringing the death toll to "When we issue a warn-
17, including nine people ing, it means take action,"
from the same family and meteorologist Kelsey Angle
the crew member who said. Ducks boat sits idle in the parking lot of Ride the Ducks, an amphibious tour operator in Branson,
was driving the amphibious Suzanne Smagala with Ri- Mo. Friday, July 20, 2018.
boat. In their initial assess- pley Entertainment, which Associated Press
ment, authorities blamed owns Ride the Ducks in
thunderstorms and winds Branson, said the company wallowing through the Zion Tabernacle Apostolic complained that too many
that approached hurri- was assisting authorities. choppy, wind-whipped Faith Church in Indianapo- agencies regulate the
cane strength. She said this was the com- lake, with water only inch- lis. He did not name them. boats with varying safety
"Branson is a city full of pany's only accident in es from its windows. Dark, Two people from the family requirements.
smiles," Mayor Karen Best more than 40 years of op- rolling waves crash over survived, a spokeswoman The boats were originally
said. "We have so much eration. its front end. The footage for Missouri Gov. Mike Par- designed for the military,
fun here. But today we are Twenty-nine passengers ends before the boat cap- son said. specifically to transport
grieving and crying." and two crew members sizes. Named for their ability to troops and supplies in World
Trisha Ayers was among were aboard for a plea- Later, people on Malaske's travel on land and in wa- War II. They were later mod-
the mourners who stopped sure cruise. Seven of the 14 boat saw a duck boat ter, duck boats have been ified for use as sightseeing
to pay their respects at a survivors were hurt when passenger "hanging on for involved in other serious vehicles.
parked car that was cov- the vessel went down. At dear life" to the paddle accidents in the past, in- A full investigation was un-
ered with flowers because least two children and two wheel of the Belle, he said. cluding the deaths of more derway, with help from the
it was believed to belong adults were hospitalized. The mayor identified the than 40 people since 1999. Coast Guard and the Na-
to a dead tourist. The captain survived, au- crew member driving Five college students were tional Transportation Safety
Ayers said she understood thorities said. the boat as Bob Williams, killed in 2015 in Seattle Board. Stone County Sheriff
how the boat got caught Brayden Malaske, of known informally as "Cap- when a duck boat collided Doug Rader urged anyone
on the lake because the Harrah, Oklahoma, board- tain Bob." with a bus. Thirteen people with video or photos of the
weather on Thursday eve- ed a replica 19th-century "He was at a great am- died in 1999 when a boat accident to contact au-
ning changed in 10 minutes paddle wheeler known as bassador for Branson," sank near Hot Springs, Ar- thorities.
from sunshine to gale-force the Branson Belle on the Best said. "He was at every kansas. Divers quickly located
winds that bent traffic signs. same lake just before the event. He knew everyone. "Duck boats are death the vessel, which came
"I hope it won't tarnish Bran- storm hit. He was always promoting traps," said Andrew Duffy, to rest on its wheels on
son," she said with tears in At the time, he said, the Branson." an attorney whose Phila- the lakebed. Authorities
her eyes. "About 80 percent water seemed calm, and Authorities had not publicly delphia law firm handled lit- planned to recover it at
of our income comes from no one was worried about identified the dead but said igation related to two fatal some point in the next few
tourists. We love them." the weather. they included a 1-year-old duck boat accidents there. days.
The risk of heavy weather "But it suddenly got very child. "They're not fit for water or The boat sank in 40 feet (12
was apparent hours before dark," he recalled. The nine family members land because they are half meters) of water and then
the boat left shore. In a short video taken by who died were from In- car and half boat." rolled on its wheels into a
The weather service sta- Malaske from a dock, the dianapolis, said Thomas Safety advocates have deeper area with 80 feet
tion in Springfield, about 40 duck boat can be seen Griffith, suffragan bishop of sought improvements and (25 meters) of water. q