Boat Collision

May 18, 2009
Contact: Elise Schaffer, PIO Phone: (608) 284-6142 Email: schaffer@co.dane.wi.us
Sheriff's Office

At approximately 8:38 am, Deputies from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office Marine and Trail Enforcement responded to the boat landing at Lake Farm Park. Seventy-eight year-old Edward J. Seiler of Dane was injured when the boat he was fishing in was struck by another boat operated by 66-year-old Gerald L. Reese of Janesville. Seiler and two others were anchored near Hog Island on Lake Waubesa with their boat anchored in approximately 11 feet of water. Reese was traveling in his boat at approximately 17-25 mph and failed to turn in time to avoid Seiler’s boat, striking it sideways and throwing Seiler into the water. A passenger in Reese’s boat, 24-year-old Michael Morton of Albany, entered the 60-degree water, and rescued Seiler. Town of Madison EMS transported Seiler to St. Mary’s Hospital. The extent of his injuries is unknown at this time, and Sheriff’s Deputies are continuing to investigate the incident. Citations may be forthcoming. Seiler was wearing his personal floatation device at the time of the crash, which had a significant effect on the outcome of this crash and his survival. ###