Death-trap ducks strike again

At least six dead and dozens missing in Branson as an amphibious vehicle capsized.

Multiple fatalities involving capsized "Ride the Ducks" boat

In 1999, 13 people died in Arkansas when one of these sank.

 

Title here seems off key to me. 11 dead now.

My family had vacationed a lot in the area and I’ve been on a too-small boat in some pretty scary lake situations, so maybe it strikes closer to home for me than others. (Though somehow we never went to the actual lake where this happened, and certainly never faced any situations this dire.)

Here’s a video of the sinking. Not easy to watch, but it’s not graphic by itself.

Eyewitness video: Joplin couple on Branson Belle saw duck boat disaster happen

 

Vertical video

 

I knew* somebody on the one in Hot Springs. I’ve called them death traps ever since.

And we are supposed to go out on the Belle with the in-laws on Saturday night.

* - To be clear, I didn’t know him well. More of a friend of a friend who I talked to several times over the years.

 

The opening of that article ...

It's not memorable?

 

10 years from now a friend asks, ‘What did you guys do for your 15th wedding anniversary?
Jeff: I don’t remember. Jennie?
Jennie: I don’t even remember. Probably went to Olive Garden.

 

Death toll at 17 now.

 

How many would have been in that duck boat?

 

31

 

I have not read the story but have been on one in Boston, for sightseeing purposes, not a thrill ride. WTF was that even in the water in a storm? I hope this does not lead to banning the boats.

 

Keep thinking of this:

 

There were storm watches and warnings posted pretty much all day as the front moved across the region. Everybody knew it was coming.