INDIANAPOLIS — Tuesday was a solemn day for the family who lost nine relatives when a duck boat sank one year ago.
The fatal accident in Branson, Missouri in 2018 killed 17 people, including nine members of the Coleman family from Indianapolis, and remains to be the focus of a federal lawsuit.
It's been a year since the accident and many duck boat operations are closing shop because they're unable to get insurance to cover their services.
READ | Duck boat survivor Tia Coleman reflects as 1-year mark of sinking nears |
"We are seeing company after company start to fold and say they can no longer continue," Robert Mongeluzzi, the Coleman family lawyer, said. "We are thankful for that. Because we've been trying to get these death traps off the waters and off of our streets — and that is beginning to occur."
Congressman Andre Carson, D-Indiana, says he is still proposing a bill in Congress to increase safety regulations for all duck boat businesses.
"We've been working with the speakers office and they're excited about it. We've spoken to some Republicans about it," Carson said. "Our legislation makes sure that the NTSB [National Transportation Safety Board] has greater oversight and all passengers and would be required to wear life vests."
