Video shows duck boat flipped over while exiting Charles River in Cambridge, 11 people injured
A Boston Duck Tour boat flipped over in the Charles River after a towing rope snapped, resulting in 11 injuries. Authorities have suspended operations while the U.S. Coast Guard and State Police investigate the cause of the accident.
Why it matters
The incident raises questions about the safety and maintenance of popular tourist attractions in urban environments.
Video shows a duck boat filled with people flipped over while exiting the Charles River in Cambridge on Saturday. The boat had originally broken down while in the water, forcing another to tow it out, according to WBZ-TV's Penny Kmitt, who was on board the other boat at the time. While exiting the river in the Lynch Family Skate Park just after 3 p.m., the rope towing the boat snapped, sending the duck boat backward before it tipped sideways. There were 32 people on the boat at the time, according to Cambridge Police. Witness Gwyn Svec, who was visiting from Ohio, said that the boat hit the rocks on both sides of the ramp before it flipped. "No seat belts on that thing, so everyone kind of tumbled onto each other," Svec explained. Witnesses say they heard screaming coming from the passengers on board"I saw a lot of people crying walking past me," witness Kiana Morris said. Massachusetts State Police said that everyone was accounted for. Boston EMS said that 11 people were injured, including one person with serious injuries. One witness said she saw a passenger covered in blood. Svec said it was then "silent" after it tipped over, before people sprang into action to help. "It was creepy, eerie, scary," Svet explained. "Our boat driver rushed off the boat to help them."Boston Duck Tours said it is reviewing the incident alongside the U.S. Coast Guard and State Police."As a precaution, we have suspended operations for the remainder of the day," said a spokesperson for Boston Duck Tours.Cambridge Fire and State Police responded. There is no more information available.
The article relies on witness accounts and official statements to report the incident neutrally.
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