Lauderdale Lake Boat Explosion Kills Man Installing Pier; Two Others Injured (Update: Victim Identified)

According to a press release from the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, a report of a boat explosion on Lauderdale Lake in the town of La Grange was received on Friday, April 1 at 12:33 p.m. A pontoon boat located off the shoreline of Stewart Drive was found with significant damage.

Three male victims were located. One was transported to a hospital with serious injuries, another male was treated for his injuries and released, and a third male was pronounced dead at the scene by the Walworth County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The victims worked for a local pier service company and were installing a new pier when the explosion occurred. Their names have not yet been released.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, OSHA, and Walworth County authorities. The Walworth County Hazardous Materials Unit assisted with the fuel spillage from the boat.

Update: Although no further information has been officially released, according to a gofundme post the man whose life was lost is Jesse Perry.

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