‘All happened at once’: 11 people injured when duck boat overturns in Charles River

CAMBRIDGE. Mass. — First responders were dispatched to Cambridge on Saturday afternoon after a duck boat had reportedly overturned in the Charles River.

According to authorities, around 3 PM, first responders were dispatched to 10 Museum Way after reports that a duck boat had capsized.

Allegedly, while the boat was being towed onto a boat ramp, it had suffered a mechanical issue, causing it to roll onto its side.

“As a precaution, we have suspended operations for the remainder of the day,” said Tom Vigna of Boston Duck Tours. “We are working with Massachusetts State Police and the U.S. Coast Guard to review the incident.”

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Witnesses who were at a skate park at the top of the ramp say they heard a loud sound after the duck boat started falling back down the ramp.

“It was like boom scraping when it flipped over it scraped. It was really loud,” Kiana Morris said. “There were a lot of people. Really scary screaming yelling and crying.”

Morris said she saw two people taken away on stretchers and into an ambulance. She says a rope connecting the two duck boats snapped.

“It was scary. It all happened at once,” she said.

More than 30 people were on board when the duck was being towed. 11 were sent to the hospital with minor injuries.

A former Duck Boat driver was shocked to see the damage and so many people hurt.

“I’m in shock because I’ve had my family on that plenty of times when I used to drive,” Peggy Lecce said.

Lecce was a captain and driver for the Duck Boats for years. She said they consistently trained for water rescues and towing on the Charles River.

“You pull up to a side of a duck and throw the lines they attach it and one duck drives the other out,” Lecce said. “It’s a thick rope called the tow line.”

A tow truck company was called. They attached cables to the duck to lift it and place back on its tires. It was then towed away.

At this time, members of the Cambridge Fire and Police Departments remain on scene and are investigating the incident.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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