Wisconsin Boating Fatality Summary - 2009 Season

Updated through July 3, 2009

# Date /
Time
Water Body/
County
# Fatalities/
Age, Gender
Accident Type/
Cause of Death
Boat Type/
Size (length/hp)
PFD Alcohol Involved /
BAC Level
1. 04/08/09 Namekagon River 1 Fell Overboard Kayak No Not Known
  9pm Washburn 45, Male Drowning 12'    
Victim was reported missing on 4/8 at 9pm. Body was recovered on 4/12 near the launch site, Stinnett Landing.
# Date /
Time
Water Body/
County
# Fatalities/
Age, Gender
Accident Type/
Cause of Death
Boat Type/
Size (length/hp)
PFD Alcohol Involved /
BAC Level
2. 04/18/09 Lac Court Oreilles 1 Fell Overboard Open No No
  10pm Sawyer 43, Male Drowning 13'11" / 7.5    
Victim was spear fishing with son and friend. When the boat was moving across the lake in rough water, it struck a wave and capsized. Son and friend swam to shore. Victim did not, and has not been found.
# Date /
Time
Water Body/
County
# Fatalities/
Age, Gender
Accident Type/
Cause of Death
Boat Type/
Size (length/hp)
PFD Alcohol Involved /
BAC Level
3. 05/02/09 Eagle Lake 1 Capsizing Kayak No Not known
  After 8pm Racine 42, Male Drowning 10'  
Subject reported missing by co-workers, kayak and paddle located along shoreline. Exact circumstances unknown.
# Date /
Time
Water Body/
County
# Fatalities/
Age, Gender
Accident Type/
Cause of Death
Boat Type/
Size (length/hp)
PFD Alcohol Involved /
BAC Level
4. 05/07/09 Lake Wapogasset 2 Fell Overboard Open No Yes, 0.30
  3am Polk 27, Male Drowning 14', 9hp    
Victims (4 & 5), with a 19 yr old female went boating around midnight. 19 yr old awoke with wet feet from water in the boat. The boat soon sank. The 19 yr old grabbed a PFD and swam to shore for help. Victims' bodies were recovered about 10:30 later that morning.
# Date /
Time
Water Body/
County
# Fatalities/
Age, Gender
Accident Type/
Cause of Death
Boat Type/
Size (length/hp)
PFD Alcohol Involved /
BAC Level
5. 05/07/09 Lake Wapogasset 2 Fell Overboard Open No Yes, 0.27
  3am Polk 28, Male Drowning 14', 9hp    
Was with victim #4.
# Date /
Time
Water Body/
County
# Fatalities/
Age, Gender
Accident Type/
Cause of Death
Boat Type/
Size (length/hp)
PFD Alcohol Involved /
BAC Level
6. 05/30/09 Montana Lake 1 Fell Overboard Canoe No Not known
  3:37PM Marinette 47, Male Drowning 15', 9hp    
Father & daughter were in canoe when father fell overboard. Daughter who was wearing a PFD was unable to assist father who was not wearing a PFD.
# Date /
Time
Water Body/
County
# Fatalities/
Age, Gender
Accident Type/
Cause of Death
Boat Type/
Size (length/hp)
PFD Alcohol Involved /
BAC Level
7. 06/21/09 Malby Lake 1 Fell overboard Rowboat No Not Known
  2pm Oneida 70, Male Drowning 12'    
Husband & wife were fishing when Husband reached for a fishing pole and fell overboard causing boat to capsize.
# Date /
Time
Water Body/
County
# Fatalities/
Age, Gender
Accident Type/
Cause of Death
Boat Type/
Size (length/hp)
PFD Alcohol Involved /
BAC Level
8. 06/23/09 Found Lake 1 Fell overboard Open Yes Not known
  10AM Vilas 75, Male Drowning 14' / 7.5hp    
Father & son were fishing when Father reached over side of boat to wash hands. While returning to the seat, he lost his balance & fell overboard.
# Date /
Time
Water Body/
County
# Fatalities/
Age, Gender
Accident Type/
Cause of Death
Boat Type/
Size (length/hp)
PFD Alcohol Involved /
BAC Level
9. 06/25/09 McKinley Lake 1 Unknown Rowboat No Not known
  3:30PM Forest 19, Male Drowning 10'  
Brother heard victim calling for help from lake. Brother saw victim in water next to boat approx. 50 yds. from shore. Victim went under & did not resurface.

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Last Revised: Friday July 03 2009