LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WKBW) — One person was killed and 11 others were injured after a boat capsized during a Lockport cave tour on Monday.
Lockport Fire Department Chief Luca Quagliano said around 11:30 a.m. on Monday a 911 call was received for people trapped in the water at the Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride site. Quagliano said as part of the tour, there is about a 300-foot section where visitors get on a small boat and take it down a small channel and return to where they boarded. According to Quagliano at the end of the cave, the boat became unbalanced and capsized, all 29 people were thrown into the water. Quagliano said the boat can safely hold 40 people and there were 29 on board at the time of the incident, 28 visitors and one staff member.
About 16 people were rescued by emergency personnel in an inflatable boat. On the outside of the cave near the canal, emergency personnel broke through the wall to have access to the cave which aided their rescue efforts. Others were able to self-extricate by walking. Quagliano said the water is walkable for anyone who is about 6 feet tall but there are some deeper areas in parts.
One person was killed, a man in his 60s is believed to have been stuck under the capsized boat for a period of time. He died from his injuries before he was recovered and taken back to a safe location.
11 people in total were taken to area hospitals for minor injuries, the worst believed to be a broken arm and a head injury. All other injuries were relatively minor. It took about an hour to remove everyone from the water.
According to Destination Niagara USA, all the people that were on the boat were local hospitality workers that were taking part in a familiarization tour that it hosts annually across the county.
There were more than 10 other agencies from across the county that assisted in the response. Quagliano said he could not comment on if those who get on the boat are required to wear a life vest, but said no one was wearing one. He said OSHA is already on site investigating along with other state agencies. Lockport police added the site is being considered a crime scene until further investigation is complete and the NTSB has also been notified. Police said the property owner has been cooperative in the investigation.
According to its website, the Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride which is based on Gooding Street, opened for tours in June 1977. Quagliano said it has been operating for decades without incident.
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