LAKE GENEVA — Three children died Friday after the boat they were on capsized in Geneva Lake during a strong storm.
All the children on the boat were wearing life vests, authorities confirmed.
The privately owned recreational motorboat was carrying ten people at the time—six adults and four children—and attempted to navigate to safety as weather conditions deteriorated, according to a news release from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency.
While underway, the vessel was overwhelmed by severe wind and waves, took on water, capsized, and subsequently sank near Big Foot Beach State Park.
Emergency responders initiated rescue operations and six adults and one child were successfully rescued from the water.
Responders were advised that three children remained missing.
Following an intensive search, the three missing children were located and recovered from the lake.
Lifesaving measures were administered immediately at the scene and continued by emergency medical personnel during transit to local medical facilities.
Despite these exhaustive efforts, all three children were later pronounced dead.
The City of Lake Geneva Police Department, the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, City of Lake Geneva Fire Department, the Village of Fontana Fire Department, the Water Safety Patrol, the Walworth County Medical Examiner’s Office assisted.
The circumstances surrounding the capsizing remain under active investigation. The identities of those involved are being withheld at this time pending formal family notifications.