GENEVA LAKE POLICE RELEASE STATEMENT ON TRAGIC DROWNING
Area residents are saddened to learn about this incident that happened on Geneva Lake after the victim, who was from Chicago, had posted a LIVE facebook video sharing about what a special day he was having onboard the Pontoon he rented with his family. A terrible tragedy happened soon after. Such a heartbreaking outcome. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this very sad time. Geneva Lake is a popular summer destination for Chicago area residents. Please be reminded to wear your life jacket at all times when in the water. It can turn very dangerous very fast. RIP David Trehane.
STATEMENT FROM THE POLICE
On Monday, July 27, 2020 at approximately 5:05 PM, Geneva Lake Police were dispatched to a possible drowning the City of Lake Geneva near the Stone Manor by pier 880. Officers determined that a 40-year-old male from Chicago, IL had drowned.
The victim was identified as David R. TREHANE, age 40, Chicago, IL.
Upon arrival officers met with a group of people on a 25” Misty Harbor pontoon that had been rented from a local boat rental agency. They advised officers that Mr. TREHANE had been swimming while the pontoon was drifting and Mr. TREHANE started to struggle. Mr. TREHANE called for help asking them to come get him. They were unable to get the boat started to return to the area Mr. TREHANE was struggling. They did throw a life-jacket toward Mr. TREHANE, but he was unable to retrieve it. They immediately called 911 and police, fire and rescue responded to search for Mr. TREHANE. The initial response was for a rescue, but turned into a recovery operation.
Recovery operations continued until dark and were suspended until 6:30 AM on Tuesday, July 28, 2020. Recovery operations began at approximately 6:30 AM and Mr. TREHANE was recovered at approximately 7:55 AM. The Walworth County Medical examiner was call and pronounced Mr. TREHANE deceased.
The investigation is continuing, but no criminal charges are expected.
Law enforcement officers from City of Lake Geneva, Town of Linn and Walworth County Sheriff’s Office responded. City of Lake Geneva Fire Department was the lead fire and rescue who call a Mutual Aid Box alarm for the following agencies: City of Delavan, Troy Center, Whitewater, City of Burlington & Paratech Ambulance. Dive teams from Darien, Elkhorn, Fontana, Linn, Sharon, Williams Bay and Walworth County Sheriff’s Department. Town of Delavan, along with Racine Fire Bells and Lyons also responded. The Water Safety Patrol also assisted. Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team assisted in the recovery operation.
