Accident || Six tourists had a nightmare ‘pleasure trip’ along the Douro River last weekend.
The 15-metre “Pedro Vítor” hit a stone in the river and started quickly to take on water.
According to news reports, those on board and people along the river bank, started to panic.
“We could see the people on board were of a certain age, and we realised we would have to help them get to safety,” bystander Luís Santos told reporters.
The boat “filled up rapidly and the passengers (aged between 56 and 71) had to leap into the water” – leaving behind personal belongings, handbags and money.
“It was very lucky no one was hurt,” an eyewitness told Correio da Manhã. “The area where the boat went down is deep. If it wasn’t for the passengers’ quick action and rescuers’ help, there could have been a tragedy”.
As it was, the day-trip that had set out from Viana do Castelo ended with its pleasure seekers in shock and wringing wet.
CM reports that a local boat towed the “Pedro Vítor” to the bank from which Maritime Police will be retrieving it with a special crane.
