MARQUETTE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A weekend camping trip with family turned deadly Saturday afternoon in Crystal Lake.
36-year-old Erik Williams of Appleton found himself trying to save his drowning daughter from a pond at the Lake of the Woods Campground.
Sheriff Joe Konrath of Marquette County says, “It (the incident) was reported by a witness that his oldest daughter was calling for help and a seasonal camper that was nearby saw that and pulled her (William’s daughter) to shore… and then went back in the water to get Erik.”
Witnesses performed CPR on Williams until first responders arrived.
Konrath says he was pronounced dead shortly after.
“I spoke with Erik’s father this morning and of course it’s a very tragic incident and they’re struggling with it and searching for answers,” he said. “But we do not expect any foul play but it is currently under investigation.”
The department is also using this incident to remind people about being safe around unfamiliar waters.
“There have been several drownings already this year West of Marquette County in Sauk County,” said Konrath. “So people need to take precautionary measures when going in waters whether its lakes, rivers or ponds.”
