boat capsized – A fast-moving severe storm on July 3 capsized a recreational boat on Geneva Lake in southeastern Wisconsin, killing three children and leaving seven other people rescued. The boat carried 10 people, but investigators say it was overwhelmed as strong winds and
By the time the storm reached Geneva Lake, the water had turned into something no boater expects: fast, rough, and unforgiving.
On Friday. July 3. a recreational boat capsized and sank during a sudden severe storm on the lake in southeastern Wisconsin. authorities said. Three children were later recovered after responders searched for missing children. and all three were taken to area hospitals where they were pronounced dead.
The Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency said the boat had 10 people aboard, including six adults and four children. A Facebook post from the agency described how a storm swept across the lake and conditions deteriorated quickly.
Investigators said strong winds and heavy waves created hazardous conditions for boaters. The vessel attempted to return to shore as the weather worsened, but it took on water, capsized and sank.
Emergency responders rescued six adults and one child from the lake. Search efforts then shifted once it became clear that three children were missing. Crews later recovered the children and transported them to local hospitals, where they were pronounced dead.
All four children aboard were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident, officials said. The victims have not been publicly identified pending notification of their families. The children are believed to be under the age of 13, CBS News Chicago reported.
The Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are conducting a joint investigation, and officials said the circumstances remain under review with no further details released.
The capsizing happened as severe thunderstorms moved across southern Wisconsin and triggered widespread damage in Walworth County. Walworth County Undersheriff Tom Hausner said emergency dispatchers received multiple 911 calls reporting fallen trees. downed power lines. damaged buildings. and people trapped inside homes and businesses. Response efforts were slowed because debris blocked roads and live wires created hazardous conditions.
“Power lines are all over the place. We are urging people to stay away,” Hausner said.
Lake Geneva Mayor Todd Krause declared a local emergency following the storm. Officials said one person suffered minor injuries after being struck by a falling tree, and multiple areas experienced power outages.
Officials have not released additional details about the boating incident, but they have been clear about one point that residents and boaters will likely carry with them: the storm arrived fast, and the lake became dangerous in minutes.
Geneva Lake Wisconsin storm boat capsized severe thunderstorms Walworth County emergency response power outages life jackets children dead