3 Children Die, 7 People Rescued After Boat Capsizes During Fierce Storm On Geneva Lake: Officials

LAKE GENEVA, WI — Three children died and seven individuals were rescued after a boat capsized on Geneva Lake during fierce storms Friday, officials said.

The Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are conducting a joint investigation into a fatal boating incident that occurred on Friday on the waters of Geneva Lake.

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On Friday afternoon, a sudden and severe storm moved across the area, rapidly producing hazardous boating conditions, officials said.

A privately owned recreational motor boat carrying 10 occupants — six adults and four children — attempted to navigate to safety as weather conditions deteriorated, officials said.

While underway, the vessel was overwhelmed by severe wind and waves, took on water, capsized, and subsequently sank, officials said.

Emergency responders initiated rescue operations.

Six adults and one child were successfully rescued from the water, officials said.

Responders were advised that three children remained missing, officials said.

Following an intensive search, the three missing children were located and recovered from the lake, officials said.

Lifesaving measures were administered immediately at the scene and continued by emergency medical personnel during transit to local medical facilities, officials said.

Despite the exhaustive efforts, all three children were later pronounced deceased, officials said.

Officials confirmed that all four children on board were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident.

"The Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency and the Wisconsin DNR, extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and everyone affected by this heartbreaking tragedy," a statement read. "We also want to recognize the extraordinary, immediate efforts of the City of Lake Geneva Police Department, the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, City of Lake Geneva Fire Department, the Village of Fontana Fie Department, the Water Safety Patrol, the Walworth County Medical Examiner’s Office and all first responders who risked their own safety in an attempt to save lives today."

The circumstances surrounding the capsizing remain under active investigation, officials said.

The identities of those involved are being withheld at this time pending formal family notifications, officials said.

"This incident serves as a reminder of how quickly severe weather can develop on area waterways. We strongly urge all boaters to closely monitor weather forecasts, remain vigilant of changing atmospheric conditions, and seek safe harbor immediately when threatening weather approaches," officials said.

According to Tom Hausner, undersheriff with the Walworth County Sheriff's Office during a press briefing, at about 12:10 p.m., a "strong storm traversed" areas in the county, including the city of Lake Geneva.

"At that time, multiple 911 calls were coming in," he said. "There were reports of trees down. buildings being damaged, people trapped and collapsed buildings, as well as vehicles, being hit or crushed by trees," he said.

Roads were blocked by trees, power lines and other damage, he said.

"During this time, we were informed that a boat had overturned on Geneva Lake, and there were people in the water," Hausner said.

"Seven people were rescued from the water," Hausner said. "Unfortunately, there were three fatalities of people who were not able to be rescued."