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| Duck boat tours suspended after fire on Thames | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| An amphibious tour bus company has suspended its excursions on the Thames after one of its vehicles caught fire on the river on Sunday, prompting a rescue operation involving the police, the fire brigade, the RNLI and passing tourist boats. | An amphibious tour bus company has suspended its excursions on the Thames after one of its vehicles caught fire on the river on Sunday, prompting a rescue operation involving the police, the fire brigade, the RNLI and passing tourist boats. |
| Twenty-eight passengers and two crew members were evacuated from the London Duck Tours vessel Cleopatra after it burst into flames opposite the Houses of Parliament just before noon. | Twenty-eight passengers and two crew members were evacuated from the London Duck Tours vessel Cleopatra after it burst into flames opposite the Houses of Parliament just before noon. |
| Seven people were treated for smoke inhalation and three people were taken to hospital with minor injuries. All have been discharged. | Seven people were treated for smoke inhalation and three people were taken to hospital with minor injuries. All have been discharged. |
| In a statement addressing what it called a "serious incident", the company said: "London Duck Tours operates to the highest safety standards, and at this early stage it is not possible to speculate on the reason for the incident. Until the cause is established, the company will not be operating on the river and should technical or safety modifications be required to our fleet, these will be introduced prior to the service recommencing." | In a statement addressing what it called a "serious incident", the company said: "London Duck Tours operates to the highest safety standards, and at this early stage it is not possible to speculate on the reason for the incident. Until the cause is established, the company will not be operating on the river and should technical or safety modifications be required to our fleet, these will be introduced prior to the service recommencing." |
| The company thanked all those involved in the rescue and said it was co-operating fully with investigators and the regulatory authorities. | The company thanked all those involved in the rescue and said it was co-operating fully with investigators and the regulatory authorities. |
| It went on to stress its commitment to safety, adding: "London Duck Tours operates a fully modernised fleet of nine vehicles that have been completely rebuilt and refurbished between 2002 and 2012. This includes new purpose-built hulls, new engines, computerised systems and steering equipment." | It went on to stress its commitment to safety, adding: "London Duck Tours operates a fully modernised fleet of nine vehicles that have been completely rebuilt and refurbished between 2002 and 2012. This includes new purpose-built hulls, new engines, computerised systems and steering equipment." |
| The fire was not the first incident involving the amphibious craft. In March, the entire Yellow Duckmarine fleet – which operates tours of Liverpool – was ordered out of the water after a bus sank with no passengers on board. | The fire was not the first incident involving the amphibious craft. In March, the entire Yellow Duckmarine fleet – which operates tours of Liverpool – was ordered out of the water after a bus sank with no passengers on board. |
| Three months later, 28 Duckmarine passengers were rescued by police, ambulances, coastguards and the RAF after a vessel sank in Albert Dock. Seventeen people were taken to the Royal Liverpool hospital for treatment, but were later discharged. | Three months later, 28 Duckmarine passengers were rescued by police, ambulances, coastguards and the RAF after a vessel sank in Albert Dock. Seventeen people were taken to the Royal Liverpool hospital for treatment, but were later discharged. |
| In June, the Liverpool Echo reported that the company behind the Yellow Duckmarine tours, Pearlwild Ltd, had had its licence to run them on roads revoked. According to its website, the company "is unable to run tours at present". | In June, the Liverpool Echo reported that the company behind the Yellow Duckmarine tours, Pearlwild Ltd, had had its licence to run them on roads revoked. According to its website, the company "is unable to run tours at present". |
| However, in its statement, London Duck Tours was careful to point out that it had no connection with Yellow Duckmarine Tours, saying: "The media and press have made a number of comparisons and connections between today's incident and a totally separate company which operated in Liverpool. We confirm that the safety standards and operational procedures of this company are to a higher standard." | However, in its statement, London Duck Tours was careful to point out that it had no connection with Yellow Duckmarine Tours, saying: "The media and press have made a number of comparisons and connections between today's incident and a totally separate company which operated in Liverpool. We confirm that the safety standards and operational procedures of this company are to a higher standard." |
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