The Cochran Firm Legal Blog

A six-wheeled duck boat was hit by a barge being pulled by a tugboat in the Delaware River on Wednesday. Two people, a 16-year-old girl and a 20-year-old man, are reportedly still missing.

The duck boat was carrying at least 37 people on a sight-seeing tour when the engine stalled and went adrift. Ten minutes later, the 250-foot barge used to transport sludge hit the duck boat and sank it. Witnesses describe the barge running over the duck boat and then seeing people wearing life jackets bobbing in the water.

One survivor said they had less than a minute to get life jackets on before they were hit. All passengers rushed to the front of the boat in a panic.

Almost immediately rescue craft and passing boats went to pluck the survivors out of the water. Ten people were taken to the hospital for injuries, but two refused treatment. The other eight were treated and released. Most of those treated were teenagers or young children. The two people missing are reportedly part of a tour group from Hungary.

The National Transportation Safety Board has started its investigation. One of the factors they will look at is how obvious the duck boat was to the tug pushing the barge.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, please contact the experienced boating accident attorneys at the Cochran Firm. We serve clients nationwide.