Fifth college student dies after Seattle bus crash

The duck boat tour operator issued a statement: “Ride the Ducks of Seattle wishes to express its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the people who were killed and those that were injured”, it said.

About 45 students and staff from North Seattle College were traveling Thursday to the city’s iconic Pike Place Market and Safeco Field for orientation events when the duck boat suddenly swerved into their oncoming charter bus, witnesses said. It warned customers of the potential for failure and recommended specific repairs or increased monitoring.

“Meanwhile, federal investigators discovered Saturday that the amphibious tour vehicle that collided with the bus had an axle that had been sheared off”.

“We are working to understand what happened”, said Tracey at a press conference Sunday night, “and we have completely opened our operations to NTSB investigators”.

A 20-year-old woman injured in the September 24 crash died on Sunday, said a spokeswoman for the Harborview Medical Center.

“We’re going to be following that”, he said.

The vehicle involved in the Seattle crash was an Army surplus craft built in 1945.

He said the World War II-era vehicle had been refurbished in 2005 with a new chassis and engine.

Two years ago, all duck boats were encouraged to fix their axles by Rides the Ducks global. The results of the federal probe are not expected to be made public for a year.

NTSB investigators have interviewed 11 passengers, as well as paramedics and other first responders. The inspection will reportedly be conducted by the state Utilities and Transportation Commission.

Weener described Ride the Ducks of Seattle as cooperative, and said the company had turned over training records and maintenance documents for the duck. Last week’s tragedy demands that all precautions and safety measures be taken before the Ducks resume operations.

The NTSB hadn’t determined what caused the axle failure, or whether it contributed to the crash.