Two children who drowned in Geneva Lake, Wisconsin, when boat capsized in storm identified by family
Two of the three children who died when a boat capsized on Geneva Lake in Wisconsin during a sudden severe storm have been identified.
Family members identified the two youngest victims of the boating accident as 6-year-old Caleb Oswald and 7-year-old Abigail Oswald in a GoFundMe started by relatives. The family said the proceeds of the fundraiser will be donated to a children's charity in their memory.
In the fundraiser, the family described Caleb as having "a smile that could brighten everyone's day" and said he loved music, dancing and trucks of every kind. They wrote Abigail was "full of personality and had the quickest wit of anyone we knew," and dreamed of becoming a teacher one day.
"While our hearts are broken beyond words, we want their legacy to be one of hope, compassion, and helping others," the family wrote in the fundraiser.
The Oswalds were on a sailboat with eight other people – a total of six adults and four children – when a severe storm suddenly blew in. The storm and high winds caused the boat to take on water, capsize and sink.
Officials said all four children on the boat were wearing lifejackets, and the captain had extensive boating experience. Seven people were rescued, but divers eventually found three children in the sunken vessel in about 32 feet of water. Lifesaving measures were undertaken as they were raced to a local hospital, but all three died.
The third victim, a 10-year-old, has not yet been identified. Police said no external injuries were noted in the preliminary investigation and the preliminary cause of death is drowning.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Officials said families from Wisconsin, and Batavia and Wheaton in Illinois were on the boat at the time it sank. Officials have not yet said where the children who died lived, but the Wheaton and Batavia school districts have both released statements in the wake of the tragedy.
The Community Unit School District 200 in Wheaton confirmed some of the victims attended a school in their district, and said in a statement, "On behalf of Community Unit School District 200, our deepest condolences are with the family and friends of the children who died in a tragic boating incident in Lake Geneva on July 3. We ask that you join us in supporting these families during this difficult time, and keep them in your thoughts as we all cope with this incredible loss."
Batavia School District 101 said they are aware of the boating accident and said they are not confirming student information out of respect for the family's privacy.
"Our hearts are with all of the families affected by this unimaginable tragedy," they wrote in part in a statement. "We are focused on supporting our students, staff, and families as they process this loss."
