News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Duck-boat-accident-survivor-Tia-Coleman-main_article_image.jpg
AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
World News

Tourist boat tragedy victims remembered at church memorial service

by Press Association

A church bell at Williams Chapel at College of the Ozarks chimed 17 times for those who died last Thursday at Table Rock Lake.

More than a dozen survivors of the tragedy, along with their family and friends, filled the front pews of the church to organ music.

Although a police officer guarded their privacy, he allowed one person, Carmen Lawson, to deliver pink and red roses after the service to a family that lost nine loved ones.

"It was such a tragedy," said Ms Lawson, 61, of Branson, who delivered the flowers.

"I feel for the family."

Branson mayor Karen Best recalled the desperate family members who turned to City Hall for information about their loved ones.

"We started putting faces with names. Those who were once strangers to us quickly became family," Ms Best said.

"They were a part of our community. And we did what families do. We held hands, we wept and we prayed together."

She praised the people who tried to save others from drowning, calling them "heroes who did everything in their power to save lives".

The service was held at the college near the site of the accident, which happened as winds approached hurricane strength.

The city and college hosted the remembrance for the victims.

"Today we are all family," said College of the Ozarks President Jerry C. Davis.

"We are here to comfort those who have been affected by this tragedy in so many, many ways."

Online fundraisers had raised more than 400,000 US dollars for the Indiana family's funeral expenses by Sunday afternoon.

Others killed were from Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois.

During the closing benediction, Nixa Fire Chaplain Steve Martin said of the victims that while "most of them are visitors ... they are not strangers to us".

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate