VINLAND, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A horrific, two boat collision on Lake Winnebago Saturday night leaves 2 people dead and two others injured.
The victims in the crash have been identified as 26-year-old Lauren Laabs and 20-year-old Cassandra Laabs, both of Neenah.
“The two deceased were sisters and they were with two other adults,” said Darin Rice, Lieutenant with the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.
The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department responded to the crash Saturday night.
Deputies say it happened just after 8:30 about a mile east of Paynes Point.
“They stated that there was a boat accident and that they were still in the water, but occupants from their boat were missing.”
A 26-foot boat collided with a 20-foot boat.
“All of a sudden, we just heard the collision and I said, ‘oh that’s not good,’” said David Frakes.
First responders used Frakes boat to respond to the scene of the accident.
Two people were on the 26-foot boat.
Four people were on the 20-foot boat.
At the time of response, Frakkes tells FOX 11 rescuers asked if anyone was in the water.
“she said yeah,” Frakes recalled. “One of the first responders jumped in the 20-footer and went to shore and the two other responders stayed with us and kept searching.”
The body of a dog was also recovered.
The two others on the 20-foot boat were taken to the hospital.
The two people on the 26-foot boat were treated on shore.
The damaged boat was left at Lidya Trusov’s dock overnight. Sheriff’s investigators used a crane to lift it out of the water Sunday afternoon.
She tells Fox 11…
“We helped them to anchor it. They were supposed to have four people on it but they only had two.”
Trusov remained visibly upset while the search continued.
“Devastated, absolutely sad. We couldn’t sleep last night we just didn’t know if we should try to get in our boat and try to go help.”
It was nearly a full day of searching before the bodies of the two women ejected were recovered, but Rice says there still are more questions.
“Trying to determine what may have led to the incident and ultimately the deaths of the two young women.”
Rice says at this time it is unknown if a lesson can be learned from the incident.
“The entire event is very tragic. It is unfortunate that two young women lost their lives.”
