A Missouri town known for its country shows and entertainment mourned today after 17 people including nine from one family were killed when a tourist boat sank on churning water in a sudden storm.
The grief-stricken community hosted two separate vigils Friday night. In one, about 300 people gathered in the parking lot of Ride the Ducks of Branson and sang "Amazing Grace." Mourners at a church sang the same words.
"Even though we may not know any of them it doesn't matter," said Tammy Miesner, 54, of Branson. "It's a part of our lives to be there for each other."
Earlier, Mayor Karen Best said Branson is typically a city "full of smiles ... But today we are grieving and crying."
Democrat Claire McCaskill said she would look into possible "legislative solutions," while Republican Roy Blunt called it a "tragedy that never should have happened."
The mayor identified the crew member operating the boat as Bob Williams, known informally as "Captain Bob." "He was a great ambassador for Branson," Best said. "He was at every event. He knew everyone. He was always promoting Branson."
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