Ride the Ducks in Branson, Missouri, is speaking out after one of their tour boatscapsized on Thursday, killing 17 passengers, including children.
“We will continue to do all we can to assist the families who were involved. The safety of our guests and employees is our number one priority.”
Ride The Ducks Branson/Facebook
The company said they would “be closed for business while we support the investigation, and to allow time to grieve for the families and the community.”
“Thank you for your support, and we ask that your thoughts and prayers be with the families during this time,” the statement concluded.
Seventeen people have died and a number of passengers are injured after the duck boat capsized during a thunderstorm that ravaged Table Rock Lake in Missouri on Thursday.
Rader said at least seven people were transported to the hospital with injuries and authorities found 17 bodies during the rescue and recovery mission that continued into Friday.
Charlie Riedel/AP/REX/Shutterstock
Rader said he believed the boat turned over and sunk due to the stormy weather at about 8 p.m. ET with the thunderstorm winds as high as 60 mph,according toNBC News. The duck boat remains at the bottom of the lake.
Suzanne Smagala-Potts, a spokeswoman for the company tells PEOPLE they are aware of the situation.
“Number one, our priority is the families and employees, and that’s what we’re focusing on. We are in contact with authorities but we do not have enough information at this time to confirm anything,” Smagala-Potts says.
According to the company’s website, Ride the Ducks is a guided amphibious tour for both land and water that lasts 70 minutes.
source: people.com
