Duck boat owners settle

The owners of the duck boat that sank in July near Branson, Mo., killing 17, has settled its first lawsuit with family members of victims.

Terms of the settlement are confidential, but the three adult daughters of William Bright, 65, and his wife Janice Bright, 63, filed suit shortly after the horrific July 19 incident.

Michelle Chaffer, Rebekah Whittington and Christina Taylor claimed Ripley Entertainment Inc., which owned the doomed Ride the Ducks amphibious vehicle, along with Ride the Ducks International LLC; the captain of the vessel, and its on-land driver, who died when the vessel sank, were were negligent in the deaths of their parents.

The three other parties named in the suit will remain defendants, the Kansas City Star reported.

The Higginsville, Mo., residents (photos) were visiting Branson for their 45th wedding anniversary. A lawyer for their three daughters told the paper the settlement was reached on Thanksgiving. “Our people are satisfied,” the lawyer said. “They felt like they were really genuine in what they were doing.”