Two dead, one injured after Ozaukee County water rescue

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On Monday at or around 6:24 p.m., the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office received information from the US Coast Guard regarding a boat in distress and sinking in Lake Michigan in Ozaukee County.

The Ozaukee County Emergency Management Rescue Boat, Port Washington Fire Department Fire Boat, U.S. Coast Guard from Milwaukee and Sheboygan, and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter responded to the suspected area of the boat’s last coordinates, according to authorities.

Responding rescue boats were able to locate three people in the water. One person rescued was semi-conscious and breathing, and the other two people were unconscious and not breathing, police said.

All three people were transported to the Aurora Medical Center Hospital in Grafton.  Lifesaving efforts were conducted by rescue personnel; however, the two unconscious victims were later pronounced deceased.

The two victims were identified as a 50-year-old male and a 51-year-old female, both from Illinois.

The person who survived the incident was a 26-year-old male from Beloit who is in stable condition.

The boat was a 2008 Triton, model 177, 17-footfishing boat.  The water temperature was approximately 53 degrees with 2 –4 foot waves, authorities said.

The boat was reported to have been taking on water when a wave struck the side and overturned the boat.  The boat became completely submerged prior to rescue personnel’s arrival and has not been located, authorities added.

The Port Washington Fire Department, Grafton Fire Department, Saukville Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Port Washington Police Department, and Ozaukee County Emergency Management Rescue Boat assisted with the incident.