Three children who lost their lives after a boat capsized on Wisconsin’s Geneva Lake during a fast-moving storm last week were later discovered inside the submerged vessel, authorities said.
Seven other people were pulled from the water after the powerful storm swept into Walworth County on Friday, causing the boat to take on water, overturn and sink, according to the Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency.
Investigators said the vessel, a 25-foot 2024 Nautique P25 with a maximum capacity of 19 passengers, was being driven by a 47-year-old man described as having extensive boating experience. Nine passengers were also aboard: a 75-year-old man, a 73-year-old woman, a 49-year-old woman, a 46-year-old man, a 44-year-old woman, a 12-year-old boy, a 10-year-old girl, a 7-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy.
The group included people from Batavia and Wheaton, Illinois, as well as Fontana, Wisconsin, police said. Authorities also noted that all of the children on the boat were wearing life jackets.
According to police, when the storm arrived, the operator attempted to reach safe harbor but, unable to do so, turned the boat into the wind. The vessel was then hit by at least two large waves, taking on a substantial amount of water before rolling over and throwing all 10 people into the lake. Officials said the boat sank quickly after capsizing.
People aboard another boat called 911 immediately, and emergency crews were able to rescue seven people from the water. The 10-year-old, 7-year-old and 6-year-old children, however, were not recovered at the surface. Divers later located the boat in roughly 32 feet of water and found the three missing children inside.
Divers removed the children from the vessel and brought them to the surface, where lifesaving efforts continued as they were transported to a hospital. All three were pronounced dead, police said.
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Authorities said the initial investigation found no signs of external injuries, and the preliminary cause of death has been listed as drowning.
No further details about the three victims or any of the other passengers on the boat have been released. Police said the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
