Second Body Recovered from Delaware River Barge Duck Tour Boat Accident
The second body of a Hungarian student was recovered on Friday, July 9 from an accident involving a duck boat and a 250-foot barge, according to an article in the Associated Press. The Philadelphia boat accident occurred on Wednesday, July 7, when the duck boat, carrying 35 people, stalled in the middle of the Delaware River and was struck by the unmanned barge. Most passengers were able to get their life vests on in time, but tragically, two young lives were lost.
The company that runs the duck boat business, based in Georgia, has suspended operations nationwide even though they say that all safety regulations have been followed. The company has been in business in Philadelphia since 2003. Two crew members were said to have been operating the duck boat that stalled and both passed tests for alcohol use.
In investigating the exact cause of this tragic boat collision, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will evaluate the state of the vessels and determine whether proper protocols were overlooked. The NTSB will also interview those aboard the vessels, examine videos from nearby cameras, and listen to recordings of radio transmissions.
Boating during the summer months is an activity that many Americans enjoy; however, it can be risky and unexpected circumstances can cause devastating accidents. Always make sure that the vessel you’re using has been properly inspected and is equipped with all necessary life vests and floatation devices. If you or a loved one has been injured or wrongfully killed in a Pennsylvania boating accident because of someone else’s negligence, it’s important to contact a Philadelphia boat accident attorney as soon as possible.
Monheit is the managing lawyer at Monheit Law, outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has practiced law since 1989. Michael Monheit was the managing attorney of the law offices of Herbert Monheit — now Silverman and Fodera — a firm founded by... Michael Monheit→
