The names of the two missing Hungarian tourists in the Philadelphia duck boat crash that occurred last week on the Delaware River -- Szabolcs Prem, 20, and Dora Schendtner, 16.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board's report, the tour boat crew made radio calls to the vessel Caribbean Sea prior to the collision that were unanswered. Other vessels in the area say they heard the calls. The NTSB is investigating those accounts. The NTSB also noted in their report that one of the crew members of the Caribbean has invoked his Fifth Amendment right and has declined to cooperate with investigators.
The NTSB report also noted that the tour boat, known as the DUKW 34, experienced mechanical problems which led to the crew to anchor the boat just minutes before the crash.
Our attorneys represent victims of tour boat accidents. If you have been injured in the recent duck boat accident, contact a duck boat accident attorney by calling 866.936.7447.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: On July 7, an amphibious duck boat in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania owned and operated by "Ride the Ducks" out of Newport, Kentucky was struck by a barge on the Delaware River. A 250-foot barge being pulled by a tug boat crashed head on into the duck boat Wednesday afternoon. The duck boat's engine had stopped working and was on-fire for some time before the collision.The compromised duck boat was adrift when it was hit by the barge. The NTSB is investigating the cause of the accident and whether owner and/or operator negligence played a part in the duck boats failure to operate prior to the collision or the collision with the tug-barge combination.
The accident happened off Market Street and Columbus Boulevard around 2:40 p.m. Wednesday. The Coast Guard says 37 people were on the boat, including two crew members. Numerous passengers were physically injured and two people from Hungary - 16-year-old girl and a 20-year-old man - are still missing in Philadelphia's worst duck boat crash in history. Both victims were reportedly with a Hungarian tour group being hosted by Marshallton United Methodist Church, located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. 11 Other people were taken to the hospital after the collision and 2 of those were admitted, one with a broken jaw and the other with severe trauma and shock.
"Ride the Ducks" issued a statement on its website Thursday morning and suspended operations nationwide. The company based in Norcross, Ga., operates amphibious vehicle tours in five other cities: San Francisco, Seattle, Atlanta, Newport, R.I., and Branson, Mo.
Unfortunately, these types of tour and passenger boat accidents are becoming more common. Our tour boat accident attorneys are investigating the Philadelphia duck boat accident which was clearly avoidable and should never have occurred. Two tourists from Hungary appear to have paid for the negligence of the owner/operator of the duck boat with their lives.
Our attorneys representing victims of tour boat accidents. If you have been injured the duck boat in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania operated by "Ride the Ducks", contact a duck boat accident attorney by calling 866.936.7447.
Recent Comments