For MMC

PORTAGE COUNTY – Portage County offices are investigating the death of a 15-year-old on Lake DuBay.

On July 3, shortly after 8:30 p.m., the Portage County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a report of a female in need of medical attention near the Lake DuBay boat landing at 4480 Park Road, in the town of Dewey. 

“Emergency medical personnel and Portage County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the scene where they were directed to an unconscious 15-year-old female on a beach area near the boat landing.  Emergency medical personnel from the Portage County Ambulance Service and Dewey Emergency Medical Responders performed life-saving measures but were unable to revive the female,” a department release said.

She was later pronounced dead by the Portage County Medical Examiner’s Office. 

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the 15-year-old female had been riding as a passenger on a personal watercraft being driven by a 33 year old male from Schofield.  Both operator and occupant were wearing personal flotation devices. 

“According to the operator, the female fell off the personal watercraft.  He was able to get her back on the watercraft and to shore where she was found to be unconscious.  The victim’s cause of death is unknown at this time.  The Portage County Medical Examiner’s Office continues to investigate the death and an autopsy is pending,” the release added.

The victim’s name is not being released at this time.  The Portage County Sheriff’s Office and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources continue to investigate the incident.       

The Portage County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Portage County Ambulance Service and the Dewey Emergency Medical Responders.