The owner of Lockport Cave and Niagara Zipper has filed a 50-page federal lawsuit against the City of Lockport and several city officials after a fatal incident occurred during an underground boat tour last June. The lawsuit alleges that key witnesses were not properly interviewed and that the police investigation was biased, among other claims.
The lawsuit targets the former mayor, the Lockport Police Department's Chief of Police, the city's chief building inspector, and others. It asserts that the business's constitutional rights were violated and that the owner was kept in the dark throughout the investigation due to persistent issues with Freedom of Information Law requests.
On June 12th, a boat carrying 29 passengers capsized inside the cave resulting in the death of 65-year-old Harshad Shah from Niagara Falls and the hospitalization of 11 others. Lockport officials confirmed the incident at the time but did not file any criminal charges following the investigation.
According to the lawsuit, Lockport Police failed to properly identify and interview key witnesses at the scene including a tour guide. The lawsuit also alleges that the chief building inspector may have sought a kickback to allow the business to reopen and that the inspector cited alleged electrical issues and code violations without specifying which code sections the owner was in violation of.
The lawsuit claims that city officials made false and misleading comments to the media that were defamatory and damaging to the owner's reputation and business. As a result of those statements, it is alleged that there was a loss of business for the owner in addition to reputational harm.
The lawsuit alleges negligence, constitutional violations, and defamation.
Lockport Cave Owner Files Lawsuit Against City and Officials