At least 11 people – including children – drowned after a duck boat capsized and sank in a southern Missouri lake Thursday night, according to media reports.
#BreakingNews — 11 people now confirmed dead, some of them children. 5 people are still missing in the duck boat sinking on Table Rock Lake tonight. A tragic night in the Ozarks. @kytv
— Ethan Forhetz (@EthanForhetzTV) July 20, 2018
At least five other passengers were missing as of late Thursday, the Kansas City Star reported.
The Southern Stone County Fire Department said multiple agencies responded to a “mass casualty incident” involving a “tourist type boat” on Table Rock Lake around 7:12 p.m. Central time.
This is what it looked like at Table Rock Lake nine nautical miles from where the 'Ride the Ducks' boat capsized. (Credit: Rick Kettles) pic.twitter.com/ZSVgzQia8z
— Jason Boatright (@TheJasonBoat) July 20, 2018
At least seven people were hospitalized. A spokeswoman for the Cox Medical Center Branson said four adults and three children arrived there shortly after the incident. Two adults were in critical condition and the others were treated for minor injuries, Brandei Clifton said.
Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader confirmed that 31 people, including children, were aboard the “Ride the Ducks” boat when it capsized Fox 4 reported.
BREAKING: Boat capsizes on Table Rock Lake near Branson; authorities say scene is a "mass casualty incident" https://t.co/EqN9YEpmLV pic.twitter.com/SqJtbtIr4m
— St. Louis Post-Dispatch (@stltoday) July 20, 2018
Rader said weather was believed to have caused the boat to flip. Local weather stations reported wind gusts in excess of 60 mph at the time, Fox 4 reported.
An off-duty sheriff’s deputy working security helped rescue people and recovery efforts were ongoing, with some passengers still accounted for, Rader said.
Multiple dive teams from a number of law enforcement agencies were assisting in the rescue and recovery effort. Rader said crews would stay on the scene all night.
National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Linderberg said a top wind speed of 63 mph was measured around 7 p.m. Thursday at Branson Airport. The winds were likely stronger over the lake, Linderberg said.
Very sad to hear about this horrible accident – prayers for all those involved and the first responders who are assisting. https://t.co/PQ56zagc0s
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) July 20, 2018
“There’s nothing to slow down winds in an open area,” he said.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson shared his prayers on Twitter for “all those involved.”
According to investigators, the boat sank into the lake where it remains, WGN9 reported.
By late evening, dive team rescue operations were halted but will resume in the morning, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported, citing Rader.
