October 25, 2004 11:18

WASTE MANAGEMENT

The group offer a donation to groups that protect the area where the shocking incident took place...

THE DAVE MATTHEWS BAND are to try to make up for dumping human waste from its tour bus onto a boat full of tourists on the CHICAGO RIVER earlier this year.

The band have offered a $100,000 (£54,252) donation to two groups that protect the Chicago River and its surrounding area, reports the BBC.

The band said in a statement: "We know we cannot erase what happened that day, but we hope by reaching out and helping now this will help demonstrate our commitment to step up if we are found to be the responsible party.

"As a first step, if we were the responsible party, we offer our deepest apologies to the passengers on the boat, the city of Chicago, our fans and those who have worked so hard to clean up the Chicago River."

The band said they were also frustrated at the length of time it was taking to sort out the matter, which is why they had offered the donations.

A spokeswoman for the attorney general's office, said the parties were trying to negotiate a settlement, but their donation did not impact on the ongoing talks.

She said: "We certainly ... appreciate the gesture of goodwill, but legal negotiations are based on evidence and legal procedures and we have not yet reached a resolution in this case."

The band is being sued by the Illinois Attorney General office over the incident.

It is alleged the driver emptied the septic tank from the bus while crossing a bridge, covering the tourists with raw sewage. He continues to protest his innocence.