Families outraged by mudslide river tour

A Washington State river tour is churning up controversy at the site of a deadly mudslide, reports CBS News correspondent John Blackstone.

The rafting excursion on the north fork of the Stillaguamish River runs through the town of Oso, where 43 people died last year. Victims' families accuse the tour operator of profiting from the tragedy.

Captain Dave Button's new tour on the Stillaguamish is facing obstacles on and off the water.

The trip is promoted on sites like Living Social and advertised as a way to "see the devastation caused by the gigantic mudslide." Victim's family members, including Seth Jefferds, are outraged.

"My family died there, my neighbors died there!" Jefferds said.

His wife and granddaughter, along with 41 others, lost their lives last March when 22 billion pounds of mud gave way. He said the tours are exploiting a painful tragedy.

"Right now I'm angry, cause it shouldn't happen," he said.

A law firm representing the victim's families is demanding that Button "immediately cease and... desist from any future graveyard tours or face legal action."

The law firm says the mudslide changed the river pattern, moving it over the property of a deceased victim, so Button is, in effect, trespassing.

Button said the tours will help people understand the disaster and serve as a memorial for those who were killed.

"It's to recognize what happened and show respect for the people that lost loved one's here," he said.

He told "CBS This Morning" he hopes to use the profits to help the victims' families, possibly by creating a scholarship fund.

"They don't want the money. They don't want him accepting money. They don't want the graveyard of their loved ones made into a tourist attraction," attorney Karen Willie, who represents six families in the case, said.

The tours are currently on hold until the river levels pick back up, but Button says 70 people have purchased future trips.