Tour boat captain says vessel was hit by waves

THE captain of a tour boat that capsized on a New York State lake, killing 20 people, told authorities it was hit by waves from another vessel or vessels and went over as he tried to steer out of them.

The postcard-perfect day on Lake George suddenly turned horrific yesterday when the 40ft Ethan Allen flipped over so quickly none of the 47 passengers could put on a life jacket. Seven were taken to hospital.

All the passengers were from Michigan, Warren County Sheriff Larry Cleveland said today. Their names were not immediately disclosed. A hospital spokesman had earlier put the toll at 21, but Cleveland said it was 20.