Stone County Prosecuting Attorney Matt Selby and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt have announced charges have been filed against Ride the Ducks Branson employees Kenneth Scott McKee, Charles Baltzell and Curtis Lanham in relation to the sinking of Stretch Duck #7 on Table Rock Lake on July 19, 2018, which resulted in the deaths of 17 individuals. In total, 63 felony charges have been filed against the three men.

According to the probable-cause statement, on the afternoon of July 19, 2018, Stretch Duck #7 entered Table Rock Lake during a severe thunderstorm warning, encountered severe weather and rough winds, took on water and eventually sunk. The statement alleges McKee, the Captain of the boat, failed to exercise his duties as a licensed Captain by entering the lake during a severe thunderstorm warning, and failed to follow policies and training by not having passengers affix flotation devices as the boat took on water. The statement also alleges that Operations Supervisor Baltzell and General Manager Lanham failed to communicate weather conditions and cease operations during a severe thunderstorm warning.

McKee is charged with five counts of a Class A Felony for First-Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, 17 counts of a Class C Felony for First-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter and seven counts of Class D Felony for First-Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

Baltzell and Lanham each is charged with 17 counts of a Class C Felony for First-Degree Involuntary Manslaughter.

Two Lafayette County residents were killed in the accident. According to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 63-year-old Janice Bright and 65-year-old William Bright, of Higginsville, were onboard the vessel and died. Other persons killed as a result of the accident included nine from the state of Indiana; three other persons from Missouri– including the driver; two Arkansas residents; and one from Illinois. Several other persons on the boat suffered injuries from minor to serious, while several others were not injured.

The felony complaint can be found at: https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/ducks-complaint.pdf?sfvrsn=ebdb49a7_2 .

The probable-cause statement can be found at: https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/mckee-pc-statement.pdf?sfvrsn=3a7df6e2_2.

NOTE: The photo is just an example of a duck boat.