Lake Geneva Tragedy: Charity Honors Children
Father Identifies Children Lost in Lake Geneva Boating Tragedy, GoFundMe Supports Charity
Key Points
Brad Oswald described Caleb and Abigail as 'best friends' who filled their home with laughter, music, hugs and endless love in a heartfelt message about their loss.
The GoFundMe fundraiser states that donations will be given to a children’s charity in Caleb and Abigail’s memory rather than to the Oswald family.
As of 11 a.m., the GoFundMe had raised more than $35,000 for Caleb and Abigail’s memory.
Wind estimates for the deadly storm vary by outlet: some report winds up to 100 mph, while others place peak winds in the 90–100 mph range.
The boat operator was a 47-year-old man with extensive boating experience, and officials said two large waves broke over the bow as the storm prevented safe harboring.
Two of the three children who died when a boat capsized on Geneva Lake have been identified as siblings Caleb Oswald, 6, and Abigail Oswald, 7, both from Wheaton, Illinois, according to NBC Chicago. Their father, Brad Oswald, released an emotional statement calling the pair "best friends" who filled their home with "laughter, music, hugs and endless love."
The tragedy unfolded on July 3 when a sudden storm with downburst winds of 90–100 mph capsized a boat carrying 10 people. Six adults and one child were rescued. Three children were later found dead. All three wore properly fitted life jackets, and authorities listed freshwater drowning as the preliminary cause of death, per CBS News.
Father Calls Children 'Broken Beyond Words' Loss
Brad Oswald identified his children publicly in a heartfelt message shared with media. He described Caleb and Abigail as inseparable — "best friends" in every sense. NBC Chicago reported the statement as deeply emotional, with Oswald saying the family was "broken beyond words." The third child who died has not yet been publicly identified.
Caleb was 6 years old. Abigail was 7. They were from Wheaton, Illinois, according to Shaw Local. The group on the boat also included residents from Fontana and Batavia, Illinois. Among the survivors was a 10-year-old girl who was pulled from the water.
GoFundMe Surpasses $35,000 for Children's Charity
Brad Oswald launched a GoFundMe in his children's memory. By 11 a.m. the day it was reported, it had already raised more than $35,000, according to WREX. The fundraiser makes clear that no money will go to the Oswald family. Instead, all donations will be directed to a children's charity chosen in Caleb and Abigail's honor.
WMTV confirmed the GoFundMe page names both siblings by name and age. The campaign drew donations quickly from local communities across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Local school districts also released statements offering condolences to the families affected.
90 mph Storm Overwhelmed Experienced Boater in Minutes
The boat's operator was a 47-year-old man described by officials as having extensive boating experience. Two large waves broke over the bow in rapid succession. The storm moved in too fast for the group to reach safe harbor, according to NBC Chicago. Wind estimates range from 90 to 100 mph depending on the source.
All children aboard were wearing life jackets that fit properly. Authorities found no external injuries on the three who died. Despite the jackets, the force and speed of the storm proved fatal. Officials said the preliminary cause of death for all three children was freshwater drowning, per CBS News.
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