Geneva Lake Police Detail 25-Foot Boat Sinking That Drowned 3 Children in 100-Mph Storm
Updated
Updated · WLS-TV · Jul 6
Geneva Lake Police Detail 25-Foot Boat Sinking That Drowned 3 Children in 100-Mph Storm
3 articles · Updated · WLS-TV · Jul 6
Summary
Three children ages 10, 7 and 6 were found inside the sunken boat in about 32 feet of water after Friday’s capsize on Geneva Lake; police said the preliminary cause of death is drowning.
90-100 mph wind gusts turned the lake hazardous as the 25-foot Nautique P25 tried to reach safety; the 47-year-old operator turned into the wind, but waves broke over the vessel, which took on water, rolled and sank.
Seven people—six adults and one child—were rescued after a passing boat called 911, and police said the children had been wearing properly fitted life jackets.
The storm hit far beyond the crash site: Lake Geneva firefighters answered 75 calls, more than 50 agencies joined cleanup and recovery, and the mayor declared a disaster.