'Incredible Loss:' 2 District 200 Students Died When Geneva Lake Boat Capsized

WHEATON, IL — Two Community Unit School District 200 students were among the three children killed when a boat capsized on Geneva Lake last Friday as a storm descended.

The children were identified as a 10-year-old girl, a 7-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy. They were among nine passengers on the boat, which had been driven by a 47-year-old man. The passengers included residents from Wheaton, Batavia and Fontana, Wisconsin.

District 200 officials shared the following statement with Patch Wednesday morning,

"On behalf of Community Unit School District 200, our deepest condolences are with the family and friends of the children who died in a tragic boating incident in Lake Geneva on July 3. We ask that you join us in supporting these families during this difficult time, and keep them in your thoughts as we all cope with this incredible loss."

Emergency responders had been called to Geneva Lake Friday afternoon and found the boat capsized. Police say the boat operator had "extensive boating experience" and tried to seek safe harbor when the weather suddenly shifted.

Unable to find a safe harbor, the man "relied on his training and experience, turning the vessel directly into the wind," police say.

Police say two large waves hit over the boat, causing a significant amount of water to get onto the boat. A third wave hit the boat shortly after, causing it to capsize.

The boat sank shortly after.

When first responders got to the scene, they were able to pull six adults and one child to safety.

The children's bodies were later found inside the boat, which was submerged in 32 feet of water.

Despite life-saving measures that were performed by paramedics, the three children were pronounced dead.

According to police, the children had no apparent injuries and preliminary information suggests they died of drowning.