US LAKE STORM LEAVES 17 DEAD

NINE members of the same family were among at least 17 holidaymakers killed when their tourist boat capsized and sank on a storm-lashed American lake.

One surviving relative, Tia Coleman, yesterday claimed that the vessel’s captain, who is among the survivors in hospital, told all 31 passengers not to bother wearing life jackets.

A distraught Ms Coleman said after the tragedy on Table Rock Lake near Branson, Missouri: “I lost all my children. I lost my husband. I lost my mother-in-law. I lost my father-in-law. I lost my uncle. I lost my sister-in-law. I lost my nephew.

“The captain told us: ‘Don’t worry about grabbing the life jackets, you won’t need them.’”

Sheriff Doug Rader said a full investigation is being launched but could not confirm whether passengers were wearing life vests or if the boat’s windows were open.