3 Children Dead After Boat Capsizes In Violent Geneva Lake Storm

GENEVA LAKE, WI — Three children died after the boat they were on capsized and sank during a violent storm on Geneva Lake Friday afternoon, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency.

The children were ages ages 10, 7, and 6.

A sudden and severe storm system swept across Walworth County that afternoon, with the National Weather Service estimating peak winds between 90 and 100 mph, according to the release.

The downburst winds downed hundreds of trees, damaged buildings and rapidly created hazardous boating conditions on the lake.

The Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency received multiple emergency reports about capsized boats and people in the water that afternoon.

While other distress calls were resolved without injury, one incident turned deadly, the release states.

A privately owned 25-foot 2024 Nautique P25 boat, which has a maximum capacity of 19 passengers, was on the lake during the storm with 10 people aboard.

The operator was a 47-year-old man with extensive boating experience. His nine passengers ranged in age from 6 to 75 and included residents of Batavia, Illinois; Wheaton, Illinois; and Fontana, Wisconsin.

Investigators say all juveniles aboard were wearing properly sized and fitted life jackets. As conditions deteriorated, the operator was unable to find safe harbor and turned the vessel into the wind, relying on his boating experience, according to the release.

The boat was struck by at least two large waves over the bow, taking on water and beginning to list before an additional wave hit its side, causing it to roll, capsize and sink, the release states. All 10 occupants went into the water.

A passing vessel called 911, prompting a rapid rescue response. First responders recovered seven people, six adults and one child, before learning three children remained unaccounted for, according to the agency.

Divers located the sunken boat in 32 feet of water and found the three missing children, ages 10, 7 and 6, trapped inside, the release states.

Divers freed the children and brought them to the surface, where lifesaving measures continued during transport to local medical facilities. All three children were later pronounced dead.

Preliminary medical information indicates the children had no external injuries, and the preliminary cause of death is consistent with freshwater drowning, according to the release.

The agency thanked the City of Lake Geneva Police Department, the Walworth County Sheriff's Office, the Town of Linn Police Department, the Lake County, Illinois Sheriff's Office, the City of Lake Geneva Fire Department, the Village of Fontana Fire Department, the Hebron, Illinois Fire Department, MABAS Division 103 Dive Team, MABAS Division 4 and 5 Sonar Team, the Water Safety Patrol, the Walworth County Medical Examiner's Office and Austin Pier Service for their assistance.

Names of those involved have not been released. The investigation is continuing, according to Commander Craig Rasmussen of the Geneva Lake Police.