A survivor from the family who lost nine relatives in a tourist boat accident in the US has said the captain told passengers not to bother grabbing life jackets. Tia Coleman told an Indianapolis television station that she and a nephew were the only survivors among 11 relatives aboard the boat. She said she lost all her children, but she did not say how many.
Her comments came as vigils were held by a grief-stricken community following the death of 17 people in the boat accident in Missouri. At one memorial, about 300 people gathered in the car park of Ride the Ducks of Branson and sang Amazing Grace. Mourners at a church sang the same words.
Divers found the final four bodies on Friday in Table Rock Lake, near Branson, after the deadliest accident of its kind in nearly two decades. Investigators were trying to determine what sent the vessel known as a duck boat to its demise. An initial assessment blamed thunderstorms and winds that approached hurricane strength, but it was not clear why the amphibious vehicle even ventured out into the water. Officials have not released the names of the victims, but the sad details emerged throughout the day.
Twenty-nine passengers and two crew members were aboard for a pleasure cruise. Seven of the 14 survivors were hurt when the vessel went down.At least two children and two adults were still in hospital on Friday afternoon. The captain survived,