Tragedy On Table Rock Lake
Sheriff’s Office Confirms 17 Dead After Duck Boat Sinks
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July 20, 2018
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Members of the public have placed flowers on the vehicles left in the parking lot of the Ride the Ducks attraction.
Isaac Estes-Jones
17 people are dead after a Ride the Ducks tour boat sank on Table Rock Lake last night during a storm. Multiple agencies responded to the dock of the Showboat Branson Belle after 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 19, after calls that a Duck tour boat was sinking nearby.
Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader confirmed at a press conference at the scene Friday morning that there were 31 people aboard the vehicle when it sank, including 29 passengers and 2 members of the crew.
“It has been a long night and a very trying night,” Rader said. “
As of Friday morning, July 20, Rader confirmed that 17 people died and 14 survived from vessel sinking. Duck boats are vehicles that can operate on both land and in the water. At the time of the press briefing this morning, four bodies were still missing and Missouri State Highway Patrol dive teams were conducting their search. At 10:30 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page was updated, stating the missing bodies were located, bringing the total dead to 17.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson attended the press conference this morning. “First of all, I want for all Missourians to know that our thoughts and our prayers are with the families and the victims in this tragic event that occurred down here,” he said. “It’s a sad occasion. There were a lot of people involved, a lot of families involved that were down here on vacation trying to enjoy their time. Needless to say, for myself and the First Lady, our thoughts and prayers are with these family members that are here and the victims.”
Parson also thanked all of the responders who have come together to help in the investigation. “There are multiple agencies that have come together to try to help with this tragic event,” he said.
As of this morning, members of the Coast Guard had arrived to help conduct the investigation into the cause of the vessel sinking. Rader says that the National Transportation Safety Board is expected to arrive on Friday to conduct the formal investigation.
While formal cause is being determined, the strong storms moving through the area at the time are thought to be the primary cause.
According to the National Weather Service, winds as strong as 65 miles per hour were blowing at the time.
It is important to note that the Herschend family does not own Ride The Ducks Branson.
The rescue efforts
Sheriff Rader said that there were many members of the public who assisted in the rescue efforts while first responders arrived.
“I had a Stone County Deputy that was on the Branson Belle doing off-duty security work that was involved in the rescue,” Rader said. “I also understand there were employees of the Branson Belle that jumped in to help and that there were even passengers of the Branson Belle that were assisting. That is very outstanding.”
One staff member of the Branson Belle, who did not want to be named, said there were at least three crew members that jumped into the water to save people. “Many others were on the barge and tugboat pulling people out of the water,” they said, adding “The rest of us found dry clothes or towels to dry the survivors off, giving them water or coffee.”
Sheriff Rader thanked the owners of the Branson Belle, Herschend Family Entertainment, for all of their help and support.
The response
The owners of Ride The Ducks Branson issued a statement on Facebook Friday morning, stating, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident that occurred at Ride The Ducks Branson. This incident has deeply affected all of us. Words cannot convey how profoundly our hearts are breaking.”
They also pledged to assist the investigation in every way they can.
The business will remain closed for the time being. In their statement, Ride The Ducks Branson said, “Ride the Ducks will be closed for business while we support the investigation, and to allow time to grieve for the families and the community.”
Governor Parson ordered flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Friday, July 27, in honor of the victims.
Sheriff Rader said, “We have been overwhelmed with donations of water and food and the amount of appreciation, there really are no words.”
Missouri Senators Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill both tweeted their condolences this morning.
Blunt said he was “deeply saddened by the tragedy at Table Rock Lake. My prayers are with the families and friends who lost their loved ones. Thank you to the first responders who are assisting.”
McCaskill said, “Heavy hearts for the families of those who have died and are hurt. And as always sincere thanks to the first responders.”
Earlier this morning, President Trump tweeted “My deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those involved in the terrible boat accident which just took place in Missouri. Such a tragedy, such a great loss. May God be with you all!”
Ongoing investigation
Sheriff Rader said that because this was an ongoing investigation and that families were still being notified, no details about the victims could be released at this time.
The NTSB will conduct its formal investigation into the cause of the event and will issue that report at a later date.
If you or anyone you know have video of the event, the NTSB and Stone County Sheriff would like to see it. The NTSB can be reached via email at witness@ntsb.gov. Sheriff Rader asked that videos be shared to the Sheriff’s Office Facebook.
Keep following The Crane Chronicle for in-depth coverage of this developing story.
17 people are dead after a Ride the Ducks tour boat sank on Table Rock Lake last night during a storm. Multiple agencies responded to the dock of the Showboat Branson Belle after 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 19, after calls that a Duck tour boat was sinking nearby.
Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader confirmed at a press conference at the scene Friday morning that there were 31 people aboard the vehicle when it sank, including 29 passengers and 2 members of the crew.
“It has been a long night and a very trying night,” Rader said. “
As of Friday morning, July 20, Rader confirmed that 17 people died and 14 survived from vessel sinking. Duck boats are vehicles that can operate on both land and in the water. At the time of the press briefing this morning, four bodies were still missing and Missouri State Highway Patrol dive teams were conducting their search. At 10:30 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page was updated, stating the missing bodies were located, bringing the total dead to 17.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson attended the press conference this morning. “First of all, I want for all Missourians to know that our thoughts and our prayers are with the families and the victims in this tragic event that occurred down here,” he said. “It’s a sad occasion. There were a lot of people involved, a lot of families involved that were down here on vacation trying to enjoy their time. Needless to say, for myself and the First Lady, our thoughts and prayers are with these family members that are here and the victims.”
Parson also thanked all of the responders who have come together to help in the investigation. “There are multiple agencies that have come together to try to help with this tragic event,” he said.
As of this morning, members of the Coast Guard had arrived to help conduct the investigation into the cause of the vessel sinking. Rader says that the National Transportation Safety Board is expected to arrive on Friday to conduct the formal investigation.
While formal cause is being determined, the strong storms moving through the area at the time are thought to be the primary cause.
According to the National Weather Service, winds as strong as 65 miles per hour were blowing at the time.
It is important to note that the Herschend family does not own Ride The Ducks Branson.
The rescue efforts
Sheriff Rader said that there were many members of the public who assisted in the rescue efforts while first responders arrived.
“I had a Stone County Deputy that was on the Branson Belle doing off-duty security work that was involved in the rescue,” Rader said. “I also understand there were employees of the Branson Belle that jumped in to help and that there were even passengers of the Branson Belle that were assisting. That is very outstanding.”
One staff member of the Branson Belle, who did not want to be named, said there were at least three crew members that jumped into the water to save people. “Many others were on the barge and tugboat pulling people out of the water,” they said, adding “The rest of us found dry clothes or towels to dry the survivors off, giving them water or coffee.”
Sheriff Rader thanked the owners of the Branson Belle, Herschend Family Entertainment, for all of their help and support.
The response
The owners of Ride The Ducks Branson issued a statement on Facebook Friday morning, stating, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident that occurred at Ride The Ducks Branson. This incident has deeply affected all of us. Words cannot convey how profoundly our hearts are breaking.”
They also pledged to assist the investigation in every way they can.
The business will remain closed for the time being. In their statement, Ride The Ducks Branson said, “Ride the Ducks will be closed for business while we support the investigation, and to allow time to grieve for the families and the community.”
Governor Parson ordered flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Friday, July 27, in honor of the victims.
Sheriff Rader said, “We have been overwhelmed with donations of water and food and the amount of appreciation, there really are no words.”
Missouri Senators Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill both tweeted their condolences this morning.
Blunt said he was “deeply saddened by the tragedy at Table Rock Lake. My prayers are with the families and friends who lost their loved ones. Thank you to the first responders who are assisting.”
McCaskill said, “Heavy hearts for the families of those who have died and are hurt. And as always sincere thanks to the first responders.”
Earlier this morning, President Trump tweeted “My deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those involved in the terrible boat accident which just took place in Missouri. Such a tragedy, such a great loss. May God be with you all!”
Ongoing investigation
Sheriff Rader said that because this was an ongoing investigation and that families were still being notified, no details about the victims could be released at this time.
The NTSB will conduct its formal investigation into the cause of the event and will issue that report at a later date.
If you or anyone you know have video of the event, the NTSB and Stone County Sheriff would like to see it. The NTSB can be reached via email at witness@ntsb.gov. Sheriff Rader asked that videos be shared to the Sheriff’s Office Facebook.
Keep following The Crane Chronicle for in-depth coverage of this developing story.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson, left, stands with Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader, right, and addresses members of the press at the Showboat Branson Belle on Friday, July 20.