A Canadian tourist who was on the Danube River in Budapest when two boats collided Wednesday says the experience was “surreal” and “sobering”.
Ken Hoffer, of Halifax, says he was on a cruise boat about two bridges down from where the crash occurred, when he saw a man in a life ring float by in the chilly and fast-moving water.
Hoffer, who was standing on the upper deck near the wheelhouse of the Avalon Illumination, says he immediately shouted “man overboard” and alerted the crew, who called in a police boat.
The retired naval officer says seconds later he saw a second man, who was also in a life ring and was waving his arm, before at least three bodies passed by that were face down in the water.
Hoffer says a debris field was also carried by the river’s swift current and he and others saw empty life rings, deck chairs, some garbage, and some oil.
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However, Hoffer says it wasn’t until Thursday morning that he and other passengers learned the extent of the tragedy, with seven people confirmed dead, seven rescued, and 21 missing.
WATCH: Strong currents hamper efforts to reach ship wreck following fatal sinking
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