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Texas party boat with 53 people capsizes, leaving one dead

Karl Katzenberger, 80, of Montgomery, Texas, was pulled from the water and transported to a hospital, where he died, officials said.
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By Kalhan Rosenblatt

A party boat in Texas capsized during a strong thunderstorm, leading to the death of one person, officials said.

The boat capsized Saturday on Lake Conroe, in Conroe, Texas, about 40 miles north of Houston.

The boat was about 40 minutes into a 90-minute cruise when it capsized, according to NBC affiliate KPRC of Houston. Images of the boat showed it turned onto its side in the lake.

Fifty-three people were on board, Kirk McDonnell, a spokesman for the state Parks and Wildlife Department, said in a statement to NBC News.

The Montgomery County Precinct 1 Constable's Office, fire and rescue, EMS and parks department game wardens responded, McDonnell said.

Witnesses began pulling victims from the water while they waited for emergency services to arrive, KPRC reported.

Karl Katzenberger, 80, of Montgomery, Texas, was pulled from the water and transported to a hospital, where he died, McDonnell said.

All other passengers were removed from the water, and all were accounted for.

The parks department is investigating.

Kalhan Rosenblatt

Kalhan Rosenblatt is a reporter covering youth and internet culture for NBC News, based in New York.