Tragic Missourian Duck‑Boat Disaster: A Family’s Heartbreak
The Story at a Glance
- When it happened: July 19, 2018, near Branson, Missouri.
- The vessel: A 70‑minute amphibious “duck boat” tour of Table Rock Lake.
- Passengers: 31 people, 11 of whom tied to one family.
- Outcome: 17 passengers lost, 14 survivors (7 injured).
Enter Tia Coleman
Tia Coleman, an Indiana mother who lost 9 family members, broke open the emotional wound on the airwaves, sitting on a hospital bed in Branson and sharing her story through an interview with Fox 59.
What the Captain Said
The key distressing moment: the captain told passengers to skip the life jackets, insisting they had “no need” for them.
- “Don’t worry about grabbing the life jackets, you won’t need them,” the captain declared.
- Result: Everyone trusted him, stayed seated, and nothing changed until a freak storm turned the boat into a watery nightmare.
How the Story Feels
Tia cried, “I lost all my children, my husband, the whole in‑law crew—my mom‑in‑law, dad‑in‑law, uncle, sister‑in‑law. And then there’s my nephew. I—I’m okay, but… this sucks.”
Back‑to‑Back Breakdown
- Parents: Tia & her husband—the only surviving couple in the cabin.
- Extended family: 8 other relatives, all gone.
- Life jacket directive: The captain’s words caused an “in‑action” fiasco.
- Survivors: 14 people escaped, 7 with injuries (one severe).
- Dividing the tour: The crew was told to hit the water part of the itinerary first, supposedly to dodge the storm.
- Storm’s progression: Initial calm water turned choppy, fearful waves finally capsized the boat.
There was also a video—held for over four minutes—showing the boat wavering and ultimately flipping into the lake, before sinking to the bottom.
The Aftermath
Tia demands: “The captains speak, the passengers listen, but when the wave hits, there’s no ‘no need’, just plenty of life jackets.
Her words echo a deep need: “If the captain had manned the harnesses right, maybe more could have been saved.”
Key Take‑aways
- Even in a supposedly safe tourist ride, a single misstep can turn a day into tragedy.
- Trust only after vetting, especially when survival gear is at stake.
- Listen to your body, not just a captain’s cheer.
The Branson incident reminds us all that stormy waters don’t care about schedules; they’re hungry for every life jacket that comes in their way.
