LAKE GENEVA, Wis. — New details into the investigation of three children who drowned in Geneva Lake after sudden storms on July 3.
The National Weather Service in Sullivan confirmed that a sudden and severe storm swept through Walworth County, bringing estimated peak winds between 90 and 100 mph, and producing severe downburst winds that brought down trees and damaged several buildings.
It also made for dangerous boating conditions on area lakes.
The Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency (GLLEA) received multiple emergency complaints regarding capsized boats and individuals in the water, including for a boat that capsized on Geneva Lake.
Investigators say the privately owned 25-foot 2024 Nautique P25 vessel was navigating the lake during the storm, operated by a 47-year-old man with extensive boating experience.
The nine additional passengers on board included two men ages 46 and 75; three women ages 44, 49, and 73; and four children: two boys ages 6 and 12, and two girls ages 7 and 10. All of the passengers were from Batavia and Wheaton, Illinois; and Fontana, Wisconsin.
Investigators also confirmed that all of the children were wearing properly sized life jackets.
As weather conditions worsened, the boat operator tried to find a safe harbor. Since he was unable to find any, he used his training to “turn the vessel directly into the wind”.
According to Geneva Lake police, “[t]he vessel was struck by at least two large waves that broke over the bow, causing the vessel to take on a significant amount of water and begin to list to one side. The vessel was then struck by an additional large wave to its side, causing it to roll, capsize, and send all 10 occupants into the water. After capsizing, the vessel quickly sank below the waterline”.
Emergency responders rescued all six adults and the 12-year-old boy, and divers eventually located and freed the three missing younger children in the sunken vessel in 32 feet of water.
Crews did perform life-saving measures on the scene and as they transported the children to the hospital. Unfortunately, all three died.
Preliminary findings showed that the children “suffered no external injuries, and the preliminary cause of death is consistent with freshwater drowning”.
The names of the children have not been released.