One person is dead after cave tour boat capsized in Upstate NY: 11 others are in hospital following major emergency response to free the victims from frigid underground canal
- A tour boat carrying 29 people capsized in a cave structure in upstate New York, close to Niagara Falls
- The boat carrying the group through the Lockport Caves turned over due to a sudden shift of weight
- One person was killed and 11 others were hospitalized after they were plunged into the frigid waters
One person has been killed and 11 others hospitalized after a tour boat capsized in frigid waters in the Lockport Caves along the Erie Canal in upstate New York.
Police confirmed around 11:25 am that they were responding to the situation in the town of Lockport, around 20 miles east of Niagara.
The town’s mayor confirmed that there were 29 people on board at the time, 28 visitors and one staff member. A 60-year-old man died when he became trapped underneath the boat after it flipped. His wife was also on board.
Eastern Niagara Health System later confirmed that they were treating four people with non-critical injuries, reports WKBW. Seven others were transported to a nearby hospital.
The boat capsized due to a sudden shift in weight, reports the Lockport Union-Sun Journal.
Eastern Niagara Health System have confirmed that they are treating four people with non-critical injuries
A shot of the Erie Canal, where the man made caves are located
Reports said that victims covered by towels could be seen being brought into ambulances
The tour was operated by Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride. DailyMail.com has reached out to the company for comment
The tour was operated by Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride. DailyMail.com has reached out to the company for comment.
Lockport Mayor Michelle Roman said that the group on the boat were hospitality workers from Erie County. They were brought to the canal by a Destination Niagara USA tour.
A total of 16 people were rescued by boats while the rest were able to walk out of the caves. The area is being treated as a crime scene. The boat involved can hold up to 40 people.
Despite social media reports, the sheriff’s office revealed that all of those on board were adults. Multiple people, covered by towels, could be seen being loaded into an ambulance, reports WIVB.
The caves have been open to boat tours in 1977. The water in the area is round four feet deep. The tour takes around 70 minutes.
The water temperature in the area was around 60 degrees.
In a 2021 feature, WIBV reported that the man-made caves were created 150 years ago.
A file photo showing guests taking the boat tour of the cave
A tour boat has capsized inside a cave in upstate New York plunging 36 people into frigid waters
Police confirmed that they are responding to a capsized boat at the Lockport Caves
The caves have been open to boat tours since 1977. The water in the area is round six feet deep
