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Authorities say 11 are now confirmed dead after a duck boat carrying about 31 passengers capsized and sunk Thursday on Table Rock Lake near the tourist town of Branson, Mo., the county sheriff. Stone Doug Rader told reporters Thursday night. According to Rader, seven other people were transported to the hospital. Of these, only one was seriously injured, he said. Diving teams have been sent out to search for survivors, but the operations are ending for the night and will continue in the morning, he said Thursday night.
Five people are still missing, Rader said. Some of the deceased passengers were children.
"It's going to last all night and tomorrow," he said, "we're still going to work on it."
National Transportation Safety Board investigators expected Friday to help determine cause of death tragedy.
The video taken from the boat just prior to the incident showed that it was moving up and down through rough waves, with water sprayed in all directions. It was a case where there were strong winds in the heavy rain.
"The winds were behind what is called a gusting front," said meteorologist Mike Smith, a meteorologist. "There were also strong winds with heavy rain on his arrival that would have reduced visibility at very low values. "Gusts of up to 70 or 80 mph were reported at the time of the sinking, he writes.
believed that the boat capsized and sank due to winds and convulsions. Severe thunderstorms A violent thunderstorm warning was issued for the area around 4:30 pm
According to the Stone South County Fire District, many organizations responded at the scene of a severe storm. "Mass casualty" involving a "tourist-type boat" shortly after 7 pm At 7:16 pm, a call to the Taney County Public Security Dispatch called for a "water rescue" just north of the site. Branson Belle Showboat, on the shore of the lake, near the park. Rock Table State
.] "Will be a duck that capsized. We have about 30 individuals in the water, "said the voice above the dispatch, according to a recording captured on Broadcastify.com." It's pretty intense here, "said another voice over.
At 7:27 pm, one voice stated that several people had already been "picked up."
"We have injuries, a possible CPR going on." There are a few pontoons to get people out of there. water … "
" Some people are already on the ground, "said another interlocutor later. "We really need an ambulance there."
One respondent asked if those on the victims' premises could repel passersby. "We have people here taking pictures."
Just before 19:45, another member of the intervention team said that they had "at least six or seven dead."
"We are trying to dive missing people," he said. "We are treating some, obviously the wounded."
Rader told reporters that he did not know how deep that was. 39, water was where the boat sank.He said that he believed drowning was causing death.
Another correspondent from the Taney County Public Security Dispatch stated that two jet skis had also capsized elsewhere on the lake, but that all passengers were safe on the shore.
"It's a very difficult night for us. Melody Pettit, communications manager for the city of Branson, said at a press briefing outside City Hall that the night will be long for many people. "It's heartbreaking."
The families of the victims were invited to gather inside the town hall during the night. Pettit says the city has set up an internal command post, providing services to chaplains, psychologists and Red Cross services
Rachel Zerby, who camped along the lake near the canoe. on the water when the storm suddenly hit.
"We have a clear line of sight on both sides of the water," said Zerby. "I noticed that most boats had left the water, but there were at least two or maybe three ducks near the Belle."
The wrecked duck was one of two that still worked during the storm. The boats came back to shore when the incident happened, he said. According to the Kansas City Star, some of those who capsized were able to swim up to shore.
Originally created by the US Army for the Second World War, the DUKW (duck) were amphibious trucks shaped like boats. the ammunition transported, the supplies and the equipment of the deep-sea ships to the troops stationed on the beaches. Later, they were modified for recreation and riding in the ducks became a very popular tourist activity.
The capsized duck was owned by Ride the Ducks Branson, a tour company that takes people on tour of the Ozarks. land and water using amphibious vehicles. Ride the Ducks is a national company that has several locations throughout the United States, including Guam. The Branson operation was bought last year by Ripley Entertainment, a company spokeswoman, Suzanne Smagala-Potts, at the Washington Post
The ducks have had fatal accidents both in the US and Canada. Water only on earth
. The most deadly incident, 13 people died in 1999 after a duck boat suddenly started taking water during a tour of Hamilton Lake in Hot Springs, Ark.
In 2015, a Ride the Ducks boat crashed on an Aurora Bridge in Seattle and four students were killed. Nearly 50 people were injured.
However, Smagala-Potts said it was the first time that there was an accident involving ducks at Branson. Smagala-Potts said, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident that occurred tonight at Ride The Ducks Branson," she said. . "This incident has deeply affected everyone of us, and we will continue to do everything we can to help families and authorities in their pursuit of search and rescue."
Located approximately 20 minutes from Branson, Table Rock Lake is a popular destination for PWC enthusiasts. "According to its website. The lake extends over 45,000 acres of surface and 800 miles of shoreline.
Roger Braillier, who is canoe captain for the same company, told the Washington Post that "hearts hurt everyone involved."
"I know without a doubt that the captain is doing his best," said Braillier. "All our hearts are completely broken right now."
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