Captain indicted in Branson duck boat sinking that killed 17
The captain in charge during a deadly Missouri tourist boat sinking has been indicted by a Grand Jury and will face multiple charges of misconduct and negligence.
Kenneth Scott McKee, 51, was at the wheel of a duck boat amphibious vehicle when it sank in severe weather on Table Rock Lake near Branson last July.
Of 17 people killed in the accident, nine were from one family.
The vessel was carrying 31 people at the time.
Separate lawsuits against the company, Ripley Entertainment, and others, are pending.
The company suspended the service immediately following the tragedy.
The indictment says McKee didn’t properly consider the weather conditions.
A severe storm rolled in over the lake making conditions treacherous for the improvised ex-military vehicle.
After an investigation, the U.S. Coast Guard said there was probable cause the accident was due to McKee’s ‘misconduct, negligence or inattention to the duties.’
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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