One dead after tour boat capsizes in Texas lake

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(CONROE, Texas) — One man died and another person was injured after a double-deck tour boat capsized during a thunderstorm Saturday night on Lake Conroe, CNN reported.

The sternwheeler Lake Conroe Queen capsized at 8:12 p.m with 53 people on board. Officials from several agencies responded to rescue the passengers from the water, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said.

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CNN photo

“Upon arrival, a large number of passengers were still in the water with diesel fuel in the water,” Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough wrote on Facebook. “Local neighbors had already sprung into action and started rescuing people from their docks and some went into the water helping passengers to safety.”

An 80-year-old man was taken to a local hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead. A second person was taken to the hospital in stable condition.

“While weather is thought to be the cause of the capsizing, the exact cause has not been determined and the entire incident is under investigation,” Keough said.

Lake Conroe Queen was built in 1986 for tours and private parties, according to the website for the operator.

By Professional Mariner Staff