A tragic lawsuit alleges that a critical delay inside one of the most popular restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort cost a father of three his life.
According to the legal complaint, employees at The Boathouse restaurant in Disney Springs watched as Kevin Duncan, 42, began choking on a piece of steak—but instead of immediately calling 911, staff contacted security first, delaying emergency medical care.
Duncan, an Ocala resident, was in Orlando on June 7, 2025, attending a dance competition for his daughter. The choking incident unfolded in front of her and her dance team while the group was dining together, according to court filings and statements from the family.
The complaint describes Duncan as a “beloved dance dad” who was eating with friends and loved ones when he suddenly experienced an airway blockage.
“While consuming a steak entrée, Mr. Duncan began choking on a piece of steak and experienced a blockage of his airway,” the lawsuit states. “Family and friends attempted the Heimlich maneuver and other measures to dislodge the obstruction. The Boathouse restaurant staff did not promptly call 911; instead, staff initially contacted security, causing a delay in summoning emergency medical services.”
Attorneys for Duncan’s family say the delay proved fatal. As a result of the choking episode and the alleged failure to obtain immediate medical help, Duncan suffered severe hypoxia and cardiopulmonary arrest. He was placed on a ventilator the following day and died on June 9, 2025.
Just one day earlier, Duncan had been celebrating with his daughter at Magic Kingdom. Her dance team, Radar Dance Complex Ocala, shared photos and video from inside the park, calling it a celebration of their hard work during the regional season.
Court filings allege that multiple employees—including an on-duty manager—were aware Duncan was in medical distress before any call to 911 was made. According to the lawsuit, more than two minutes passed while no employee contacted emergency services.
The complaint further accuses restaurant management of directing staff to contact security before calling 911 due to an internal policy or practice. Lawyers argue that employees were inadequately trained to respond to choking emergencies, despite the risk being well known in restaurant settings.
“Choking of restaurant patrons is a known and foreseeable risk,” the complaint states. “When a patron is observed to be choking, unresponsive, or not breathing, the reasonable response is to immediately call 911.”
The lawsuit concludes that Duncan’s death was the direct result of the choking incident combined with the alleged delay caused by restaurant staff.
A GoFundMe created for Duncan’s family describes him as a devoted father whose “greatest joy was his children,” adding that he loved them “to the moon and back.”
Following his death, his daughter’s dance team posted a heartfelt tribute, calling the loss sudden and devastating and asking the community to keep the dancers, parents, and staff in their thoughts and prayers.
The Boathouse, operated by Gibsons Restaurant Group, has long been considered a flagship dining destination at Disney Springs. A 2022 Delish article described it as one of the area’s most popular restaurants, noting that lines have formed down the sidewalk since it opened in 2015.
In a statement provided to Law&Crime, a spokesperson for Gibsons Restaurant Group said, “We are very sorry for the tragic loss of life, and our thoughts are with those affected. Because this is an active legal matter, we are unable to comment at this time.”
The lawsuit remains ongoing.
Can someone tell this dimwit how to spell? It’s choked not chocked