Tourist boat capsizes in cave along Erie Canal and person dies after being trapped under boat
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A 60-man man was trapped under the capsized boat and lost his life, 16 more people were rescued by emergency teams, while others were able to swim safely out of the water.
A tour boat capsized in a cave along the Erie Canal in upstate New York, authorities said. One person died after being trapped under the boat for at least an hour,
A total of 28 tour group visitors and a staff member were aboard the boat operated by Lockport Cave and Underground Boat, CNN reported. Ride when it lost its balance and capsized, throwing all passengers into the water.
According to Lockport Fire Chief Luca Quagliano, emergency medical personnel rescued 16 people from the water, while 11 more escaped at your own expense.A tourist boat capsized in an underground cave in the Erie Canal in upstate New York, killing at least one person and injuring 10 more, authorities said. https://t.co/cY0TSSIfJD
— CNN (@CNNEE) June 13, 2023
The capsize occurred during a stretch of the underground journey where tourists board a small boat and travel along a 300-foot channel inside the cave, where the water level is around five feet deep, but higher than six feet in some areas, authorities said.
Authorities said the boat, which can carry up to 40 people, became unstable and capsized near the end of the canal. The passenger who died was in his 60s, authorities said.
Of the 16 people rescued by the teams, 11 were injured and were transported to a hospital for treatment. Authorities said there was a broken arm and possible head injury, though some passengers may have suffered hypothermia after being in the water for 15 to 20 minutes.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, said on social media that authorities from the New York State Police, the Division of Homeland Security, State Parks and the Department of Health were on the scene and assisting local officials in their response.
“My team is in close contact with local officials and emergency operations teams who have responded to a capsized boat along the Erie Canal in Lockport,” he said.