A witness to the sinking of the Branson Belle boat in Missouri that killed 17 people has spoken to Newshub about the event.
Divers have pulled the last bodies from the lake after the "duck boat" sank in a storm, killing 17 people in one of the deadliest US tourist incidents in recent years.
The World War II-style amphibious vehicle was filled with 31 passengers, including children, when a microburst storm hit Table Rock Lake outside the tourist city of Branson, Missouri, on Thursday. A video of the incident showed it battered by waves.
The witness, who wishes to remain anonymous, was in the shops on the shoreline when the boat capsized.
"I didn't see it capsize. [It was] most likely the wind combined with the waves. They were quite high.
"We saw quite a few recovered and helped one little boy, and I saw no vests. That's the real avoidable tragedy here - no vests."
The witness says the mood on the shore went from terror-stricken to sombre as bodies were pulled from the water in a "chaotic scene".
"My heart is grateful, especially for the brave staff of the Branson Belle who snapped into action and selflessly rescued as many as possible.
"I was blessed to see American citizens snap into action to rescue and help wherever they could with their fellow man."
Newshub.
