Tour Boat Slams Into Dock on Chicago River, Nine Injured

Posted in Illinois Maritime News,Maritime Accidents on August 8, 2012

At least nine people were injured Monday after a crowded tour boat slammed into a dock on the Chicago River, according to Chicago Fire officials.  

Media reports say that the passenger vessel “The Lila”, which is owned and operated by Wendella Boat Tours, slammed into a concrete dock near the Michigan Avenue bridge on the Chicago River after the recently delivered vessel lost steering power during a docking maneauver.

Authorities say that 150 people were on board when the allision occurred and that seven people had to be taken to Saint Joseph Hospital and Rush University Medical Center with minor injuries, while two others were said to be in fair-to-serious condition. As many as twelve others refused treatment.

According to the Wendella Boat Tour facebook page, the Lila was just put into service on August 1.