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Horrific D.U.K.W accident. Four dead and scores injured in head on collision between "duck" boat/truck and a conventional tour bus in Washington State. Eye witnesses claim bodies were strewn all over the bridge.

A 70+ year old piece of disposable military hardware has had a tragic equipment failure. That many years of being plunged daily into salt water and being driven daily around town has got to be a maintenance nightmare, especially for something never intended for such long term use. Will this spell the end for the "duck boats" being used in this manner in the USA?

Very sad. I don't know about it being the end, but in a similar vein this side of the pond we've had a few recent airshow accidents involving older aircraft and the authorities are looking at the future of such events.

we have D.U.K.W tours in London unfortunately one caught fire and sank on the river but luckily without the tragic consequences you mention Joe
they are still in use as a land based tour bus but (as far as I know) not used in river tours anymore

Tragic indeed. Must have been a big impact to swing the Duck almost 180 degrees. London lost 2 Ducks, one sank and a 2nd caught fire. They dont travel very fast so if passengers are wearing seatbelts and there is sufficient safety inspections of vehicles and their workshops there should not be mechanical failures (this is the big issue - it is likely that there are issues with effectiveness of safety inspection oversight)

A White D.U.K.W. is used Daily during the Summer season at Hunstanton, Norfolk. It hopefully will stay in service, as not that many can now be seen at our Seaside locations.

GHOSTHUNTER.

fixer wrote:we have D.U.K.W tours in London unfortunately one caught fire and sank on the river but luckily without the tragic consequences you mention Joe
they are still in use as a land based tour bus but (as far as I know) not used in river tours anymore

It is correct, Reg. Last summer we were in UK, ad travelled one day to London. We had two purpose for this day: 1. to travel with D.U.K.W. 2. to travel with Routemaster bus.
The D.U.K.W.s worked only on roads.

Peter

There is also a white one used for tours in Santa Barbara Ca.