The Department of Natural Resources is warning people about the risk of wintertime boating, after multiple peopled drowned in Lake Beulah in southeastern Wisconsin over the weekend.
Authorities say they believe four young men from Illinois took a canoe onto the lake at about 3 a.m. on Sunday, before their boat apparently capsized.
Two bodies that were recovered from the lake Sunday have been confirmed to be those of two of the four men. A third body was recovered Monday afternoon, though it has yet to be identified. A search for a fourth body is ongoing.
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The DNR said alcohol may have been a factor in the accident, and that it appears no one was wearing a lifejacket.
Conservation Warden Jason Roberts said canoeing when the water temperature is about 34 degrees is very risky.
“There is a small specialized segment of the population that does paddle on waters like this, but to do so, you really need very specialized equipment and a specialized skill set to be safe out there,” said Roberts. “The indications we have … these skill sets weren’t deployed by the individuals.”
Walworth County Sheriff Kurt Picknell said it appears the accident occurred in a water depth of no more than 25 feet.
Editor’s Note: This online article has been updated from the broadcast version of the story, following the announcement that a third body was recovered.
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