Reports are coming in that a tragedy has occurred on Table Rock Lake near Branson, Missouri, where a "Ride the Ducks" tour on an WWII era ex military DUWK has capsized, may have been blown over in a storm that blew in on them. As many as 6 of 30 passengers may have drowned, rescue is ongoing.

Prayers out to the first responders and rescue personnel who are currently engaged in rescue operations.

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Edit - up to 8 fatalities.

Edit - up to 11 fatalities

Off duty Stone County sheriff's deputy on the DUWK helps rescue passengers.




DUWK in it's WWII configuration

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31 passengers including children, 8 comfirmed fatalities so far.
People are questioning why it was out on the lake with storms in the forecast.

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Super Snooper

I just received the breaking news alert from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette to which I subscribe. One of these boats sink in 1999 on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The NTSB did a massive investigation—I believe 11 were drowned—and I seem to recall stringent Federal regulations were placed on the use of these boats nationwide as to safety inspections, the type of weather they could be out it, etc. But that has been years ago, so memory may fail me.

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Possum—The other white meat!

There were 2 of the Duck boats on the water , one of them did make it to safety. Edit: Media now reporting 13 deaths.

Some heart breaking video taken from the Branson Belle. Kinda hard to watch.

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Viewer captures moments before Ride the Ducks boat sinks

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Super Snooper

Doggone it!
Here comes that "redirect" again...
http://smith-wessonforum.com/redirec...488687431.html

Click through it where is says... I Understand the Risk.

Was this DUKW an original WWII one or one modern built around a truck chassis? Several years ago I rode on a DUKW tour boat in Ketchikan Alaska which was purpose-built and I think somewhat larger than the original. Sort of like an amphibious school bus.

Death toll is 17. All are now accounted for.

Not positive but my understanding is that the "Ride the Ducks" are original WWII DUKWs. They have been operating in Branson for at least 40 years.

In an interview the company owner even said that the boats should not have entered the water due to the weather conditions at the time. But then that might have been a "make feel good" comment. He also owns the Ripley's Believe it or Not in Branson.

My reason for following this so closely is my son lives & works in Branson so I get all the updates.

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Super Snooper

Can't believe I've read nothing about life jackets??????????????

There were life jackets available on the boat. Not required to be wearing them. Not a lot of help due to the way the "Duck" is made, with a roof.

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Super Snooper

That is a heartbreaking video.

In those conditions, crew should have had everyone in life jackets long before the boat swamped. Maybe they did, and tragically the folks weren't able to get out of the enclosed cabin before the boat went down.

Oh my.

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

9 members of an Indianapolis family perished in this tragic event.

I pray for the folks that were lost. What should have been a fun excursion on a vacation turned into...

I'm sure law suits will sort out the blame eventually. This story still saddens me.

Never underestimate Mother Nature.

Very familiar with the area and where these go out.

RIP and Godspeed. Those things are death traps with the roof and windows on them.

Here is a list of the names of the deceased released by the sheriff's office on Friday:

William Asher, 69, St. Louis, Mo.
Rosemarie Hamann, 68, St. Louis Mo.
Janice Bright, 63, Higginsville, Mo.
William Bright, 65, Higginsville, Mo.
Angela Coleman, 45, Indianapolis, Ind.
Arya Coleman, 1, Indianapolis, Ind.
Belinda Coleman, 69, Indianapolis, Ind.
Ervin Coleman, 76, Indianapolis, Ind.
Evan Coleman, 7, Indianapolis, Ind.
Glenn Coleman, 40, Indianapolis, Ind.
Horace Coleman, 70, Indianapolis, Ind.
Maxwell Coleman, 2, Indianapolis, Ind.
Reece Coleman, 9, Indianapolis, Ind.
Leslie Dennison, 64, Illinois.
Bob Williams, 73, Branson.
Lance Smith, 15, Osceola, Ark.
Steve Smith, 53, Osceola, Ark.

https://www.news-leader.com/st...t-tragedy/808858002/

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Straight shootin'
SWCA#2439

Watching the video of the Duck struggling in the rough water, you can occasionally see a reflection, as the video was shot thru a glass window. It seems video was shot from one of these huge multi level supper club boats.

The reflection shows this vast room full of people sitting at large tables being served a fancy dinner by waiters. A few yards asway the Duck is struggling for it's survival.

The supper ship must of been enormous. The rough water didn't even disrupted their meal. What I want to know is: why didn't this large vessel running aside offer assistance?

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

It is my understanding the video was shot from a paddle wheeler dinner cruise, which did move to assist. The Duck went down fast, so all they could do was scan the surface for survivors.

The big issue is why the passengers were not given life jackets, which were available? Why were the two Ducks out when a severe thunder storm warning was issued 45 minutes prior? A Houston TV weather guy that I was watching this morning aired some choice words about the event.

Lawsuits to come, most definitely.

Just saw a survivor on TV.
She said that folks on the ‘Big Boat’ threw them life preservers.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

This is not the first time this same thing happened in Branson.

when you are out on the water.....make sure your Mae West is in place.....

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There's nowt so queer as folk

I recently read about this. It said these boats are like a bus and when it capsized from the waves it sunk like a rock. The people inside couldn't get out. Years ago the boats were fitted with a roof and windows to keep the riders dry. Just like a car under water it is almost impossible to break out a window to escape. Most are suspected to have drowned.

Really? the 1999 incident was in Arkansas

Some misc facts, the boat was a 1944 WW2 DUWK. They have been operating at Branson for 47 years. The boat was Coast Guard inspected in February this year. They are inspected yearly.
None of the passengers were wearing life jackets. The boat has a "black Box recorder" that may provide valuable information for the investagation. The Captain has made no public comments.
Plans are to raise the duck up and out of the lake on Monday.

Considering she is a paralegal, Tia, the survivor, is doing an awful lot of talking.

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Super Snooper

I just saw this news story and thought some might be interested.

Duck boat survivor recounts experience | News Free | bransontrilakesnews.com

Like I said before, I do not understand why she has given every media person interviews. Each new one she embelishes more.

My opinion, this will be the end of Ride the Ducks in Branson and quite possibily all Duck boat tourist rides

I agree with this article
Branson duck boat tragedy: Ban tours, ex-NTSB chairman says

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Super Snooper

I stand corrected Pawngal. We were in Marshfield, Mo at that time and our recollection was it was in the Branson/Table Rock area.

The DUWK in Branson occurred due to human error.. Not DUWK failure.

A seatbelt is no good if you sit on it.. Life jackets don't work til u put them ON..

DUWKS are pretty tough... reading wiki- First DUWK rescued survivors from a

Coast Guard Cutter in 70mph winds off Mass coast during its military trials...

They crossed the English Channel on D-DAY braving horrific waves and storms..

Did it again at Battle of lnchon in Korean War.. Always surviving..

Looking at pictures of the Branson DUWKS l see they modified them extensively..

They made them top heavy with the glass roof... Which also doubled as a SAIL...

Then they drilled a bunch of HUGE holes in the sides near the bow. Great for keeping

the engine cool.. Those holes can also let in WATER:-(

Why survivor is talking ?? LAWSUIT ??

Both quotes from pawngirl
Sounds like survivor might be planning a civil suit for damages.
Bias the jury pool ??

Bekeart

Mil-Spec DUWK worked fine.
NEW & IMPROVED CIVILIAN modification might have been over RATED PAYLOAD CAPACITY of 5000 pounds / 24 troops
DUKW - Wikipedia

In my opinion, 2 cents or whatever, I'm sure there wil be lawsuits filed.
I seems to me that being quiet and greiving for her lost family members would be a better choice.
I'm guessing morning talk shows will be her next stop.
And probably a book deal.

Ride the Ducks owner has already announced that he will pay all medical, funeral, travel, hotel expenses for all of the passengers.

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Super Snooper

Boat accident survivors join hundreds at Branson memorial
Bekeart

A DUKW is an amphibious truck, NOT a boat. It was meant to take men and materiel from the landing ship to the beach and then drive right up to the beach for ease of unloading. They have a low freeboard and are easily swamped.

Unless crewed by the Coast Guard, boats are designed to go underwater . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

This "ban the Ducks" talk after such a tragedy has a familiar ring to it.

Seems the inanimate object takes the blame when it's actually people who made bad decisions who should be held accountable.

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