Multiple children killed in Lake Geneva boating tragedy attended suburban school district

Multiple children who died in a tragic boating incident over the Fourth of July holiday weekend in Lake Geneva attended a suburban Chicago school, district officials confirmed on Tuesday.

Three children were killed when what authorities described as a “sudden and severe” storm struck the area, causing a boat carrying 10 people to take on water, capsize and eventually sink. Six adults and and one child aboard were rescued by first responders.

Three children – ages 10, 7 and 6 years old – were initially reported missing following the incident. They were later recovered and taken to an area hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

Officials said Monday the boat’s occupants were from Batavia, Wheaton and Fontana, Wisconsin. Authorities didn’t say where the children who died resided.

A spokesperson for Wheaton-based Community Unit School District 200 said multiple students who died attended a school within the district.

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“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,” the spokesperson said. “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.”

Medical findings showed the three children suffered no external injuries, and the preliminary cause of death was consistent with freshwater drowning.

Each child was wearing a life jacket of “proper size and fit” at the time of the incident, authorities said.

The names of those who died haven’t been released “out of respect for the family enduring this horrendous event.”

“The Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency extends its deepest, most heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and everyone affected by this heartbreaking tragedy,” GLLEA said in a statement.

The storm struck on the first day of the Fourth of July weekend, the start of a busy tourism period that nearly doubles the population in Walworth County, Tom Hausner, undersheriff for the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, said.

The severe weather damaged homes, brought down power lines and left trees and limbs scattered across the area.