20 July 2018•Update: 20 July 2018
By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
Authorities raised the death toll to 17 on Friday after recovering the final four bodies of a tourist boat that capsized amid high winds and choppy waters on a lake in southwest Missouri.
At least three children died after the duck boat sank in Table Rock Lake on Thursday.
Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader told the MSNBC television news network the recovery of the final victims "will bring some closure."
Thirty one people were on board when the Ride the Ducks boat encountered strong winds and high waves on the lake.
Fourteen people survived the accident, half of whom were injured, officials said.
President Donald Trump tweeted his "deepest sympathies" early Friday morning following the "terrible boat accident."
"Such a tragedy, such a great loss. May God be with you all!" he said.
Duck boats like the one involved in Thursday's accident are capable of riding on land and water.
Amateur video that was shot shortly before the boat sank appears to show it riding in extreme wind gusts as waves pummeled the vessel.
The National Weather Service tracked winds of as high as 65 mph (105 kph) in the area on Thursday evening. Additional severe thunderstorms carrying winds up to 60 mph (97 kph) and hail are anticipated during the day Friday.
The National Transportation Safety Board, in conjunction with the Coast Guard and local authorities, is investigating the tragedy. The board has asked witnesses to come forward with their accounts or any visual evidence they may have collected.
