Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

300 rescued when Tahoe paddle-wheeler hits sandbar

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Authorities are investigating why a paddle-wheel boat ran aground in Lake Tahoe, prompting about 300 people aboard to evacuate.

Coast Guard officials say no injuries were reported after the Monday afternoon incident involving the Tahoe Queen. Coast Guard spokeswoman Loumania Stewart says passengers and crew members were taken to the Ski Run Marina after the boat got stuck on a shoal.

Other agencies that helped in the evacuation include the South Lake Tahoe police and deputies from Douglas and El Dorado counties.

Stewart says inspectors are checking the vessel, which is expected to be pulled off the sandbar and to the shore on Tuesday.

The Tahoe Queen is a Mississippi-style paddle wheeler that takes tourists on daytime cruises highlighting the lake's history and sunset dinner cruises.

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