MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – The Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency released on Monday the ages of the children who died after a boat capsized on Geneva Lake on July 3. <\/p>\n
The children were ages 6, 7 and 10, the agency said. <\/p>\n
According to the agency, Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency (GLLEA) received multiple emergency calls on Friday about boats capsizing and people in the water due to a storm with National Weather Service estimated winds up to 100 mph. <\/p>\n
A privately owned 25-foot 2024 Nautique P25 vessel, was on the lake during the storm. <\/p>\n
The boat was driven by a 47-year-old man with extensive boating experience, GLLEA explained. <\/p>\n
A total of 10 people, including four children, were on the boat. <\/p>\n
An investigation revealed that all children on the board were wearing life jackets of proper size and fit, GLLEA explained. <\/p>\n
When boating conditions deteriorated, the operator attempted to find safe refuge, GLLEA announced. <\/p>\n
Unable to find safe refuge, the operator relied on his experience, turning the vessel directly into the wind, GLLEA said. <\/p>\n
The agency explained that two waves hit the vessel, breaking over the bow. Taking on water, the vessel began to tilt to one side. <\/p>\n
The vessel was then struck by an additional large wave on its side, causing it to roll, capsize and send all 10 people into the water, GLLEA explained. <\/p>\n
The vessel quickly sank below the waterline. <\/p>\n
First responders successfully recovered six adults and one child before being alerted that three children remained unaccounted for. <\/p>\n
Divers found the sunken vessel in 32 feet of water, and the three missing children were found inside. <\/p>\n
Despite life-saving measures at the scene by emergency personnel that continued during transit to local medical facilities, the three children were pronounced dead. <\/p>\n
According to the agency, the children suffered no external injuries, and the preliminary cause of death was consistent with freshwater drowning. <\/p>\n
The Geneva Lake Police thanked the efforts of the City of Lake Geneva Police Department, the Walworth County Sheriff\u2019s Office, the Town of Linn Police Department, the Lake County Illinois Sheriff\u2019s 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 & 5 Sonar Team, the Water Safety Patrol, the Walworth County Medical Examiner\u2019s Office, and all first responders who risked their own safety in an attempt to save lives. <\/p>\n
They also thanked Austin Pier Service for their assistance. <\/p>\n
The investigation is ongoing. <\/p>\n