New York boat capsized – : One person dead after tour boat accident during cave tour along the Erie Canal
One person died and eleven others were injured when the boat capsized during Lockport Cave tour
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
A tour boat capsized inside a cave 20 miles from Niagara Falls on Monday morning.
Lockport Police said that passengers were on board the Lockport Cave & Underground tour boat when it overturned around 11.20am. Multiple agencies were called to the scene to search for the passengers in the water.
Mayor Michelle Roman said during a press conference that one person was killed during the accident, according to Spectrum News. The name of the fatal victim was not released but authorities said he was in his 60s and his wife is recovering at hospital.
Twenty-eight passengers and one staff member were on board when the tour boat overturned. According to Lockport Fire Chief Luca Quagliano, sixteen people were rescued by boat after the wall outside the cave was breached.
The rest of the passengers walked out of the cave themselves as the water in the caves is around two to six feet in depth.
The individuals on board the boat were all locals participating in a free tour for hospitality workers.
Rescue efforts under way after tour boat capsizes in New York cave
Lockport Police said that up to 36 passengers were on board the Lockport Cave & Underground tour boat when it capsized on Monday
How deep is the water at Lockport Cave?
According to an NYup.com article, the water is only two to four feet deep.
The passengers onboard the capsized boat were on exploring the caves on a 75-minute tour.
For the first leg of the guided tour, visitors walked along the Erie Canal, which is just a 30-minute drive from Niagara Falls.
Streets were closed to conduct rescues
Streets were closed just before 11.30am to allow rescue vehicles in the area.
All 36 passengers onboard the Lockport Cave & Underground have been rescued, WBEN reports.
Boat capsized during tour of historic caves
Lockport Cave is a half-mile-long manmade tunnel created in the 19th century with the original purpose of transporting water from the Erie Canal to the nearby Holly Manufacturing Company to power the plant.
In the 1970s, it was turned into an attraction offering thrilling underground boat rides to tourists.
Boat capsizes in New York cave
Lockport Police said that up to 36 passengers were on board the Lockport Cave & Underground tour boat when it capsized on Monday
The Independent’s Rachel Sharp and Graeme Massie report:
Passengers recovering at hospital
According to ABC, four passengers are being treated at Eastern Niagara Health System.
Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
‘Weight shift caused boat capsize,’ law enforcement say
Law enforcement officials told The Niagara Gazette that a tour group was making its way through the cave when weight seemingly shifted on the boat, causing it to capsize.
All of the passengers ended up in the water with the boat on top of them.
Press conference announced
Authorities in Lockport, New York, will hold a press conference at 3pm ET.
Accident during historical guided tour
Lockport Cave is a half-mile-long manmade tunnel created in the 19th century with the original purpose of transporting water from the Erie Canal to the nearby Holly Manufacturing Company to power the plant.
In the 1970s, it was turned into an attraction offering thrilling underground boat rides to tourists.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies