RACINE — A serious boating crash late Sunday night on Lake Michigan left several individuals injured and prompted a substantial emergency response.
The incident occurred just after 9 p.m., east of the Reef Point Marina, according to a press release by the Racine County Sheriff’s Department.
SOURCE: Racine County News/Scanner
Preliminary investigation findings
Preliminary investigations indicate that a boat carrying three individuals, including juveniles, was traveling at a higher speed when it collided with a second boat carrying eleven occupants, including juveniles.
All occupants of both boats have been accounted for. Multiple individuals were transported to local area hospitals, with one juvenile taken to Froedtert Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses reported hearing people screaming for help following the crash. Emergency responders quickly converged at the 5th Street Boat Launch, designated as the staging area for the rescue operation. CPR was in progress for one child who sustained critical injuries, while another child suffered a severe head injury. Several adults also sustained injuries and required immediate medical attention.
The scene at the marina was chaotic, with additional police units requested to manage crowd control. A third boat arrived at ReefPoint Marina carrying another injured child, necessitating the request for more ambulances.
The severity of the incident was underscored by the landing of two Flight for Life helicopters at the hospital to transport the injured patients.
Agencies involved in boating crash response
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is leading the crash investigation. The Racine County Sheriff’s Office responded with multiple agencies, including the City of Racine Fire Department, South Shore Fire Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, City of Racine Police Department, Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, Racine County Dive Team, Village of Caledonia Fire Department, Town of Burlington Fire Department, City of Burlington Fire Department, Kansasville Fire Department, Union Grove/Yorkville Fire Department, and the United States Coast Guard.
Sheriff’s statement
Sheriff Christopher Schmaling expressed his concern: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved in this unfortunate incident, and we hope they all have a speedy recovery. I commend the emergency personnel that immediately responded to this critical situation and provided medical care.”
This tragic event has shocked the community, underscoring the importance of boating safety and vigilance on the water. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the collision while supporting those affected by the accident.
We will provide updates as more information becomes available. Our thoughts are with the injured and their families during this difficult time.
