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Authorities in Wisconsin are investigating a boat crash that left three Wabasha residents dead on Lake Pepin Saturday. 

Wabasha Mayor Emily Durand confirmed Monday that two of the individuals were part of the Wabasha Fire Department. Authorities have not yet shared the names of the people killed.

Durand said she was shattered when she heard the news. 

“I honestly don't have words for this experience,” Durand said. “This will change our community forever. You know, these are people in the prime of their life who are responsible for others, who are central to our public services and to our business community and to the lives of our children,” she said. “I'm guessing there's not a family that isn't affected in some way. It's a staggering thing.”

According to an announcement from the sheriffs’ offices in Pepin and Wabasha counties, a 911 caller reported calls for help coming from the water around 10:45 p.m. on Saturday night. Emergency personnel found three Wabasha residents hanging onto an overturned 27-foot pontoon boat in the lake.

The three people said three other Wabasha community members were on the boat with them. Law enforcement and fire crews from both Wisconsin and Minnesota launched a search with boats, drones and helicopters. They recovered three people from the lake; all were pronounced dead. 

KARE 11 reported the pontoon had collided with a commercial barge.

Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources is leading an investigation into the crash and told MPR News it will be updating information as it becomes available. Pepin County Sheriff Joel Wener said he expects an updated news release will come out later this week. 

Authorities said that the incident happened near the YMCA camp on Deer Island but did not involve any YMCA campers or camp staff.

St. Felix Catholic Church is holding a prayer vigil Monday evening at 7 p.m.

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Estelle Timar-Wilcox

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Molly Castle Work

A boat crash in Lake Pepin left three Wabasha residents dead Saturday, two of whom were part of the Wabasha Fire Department. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is investigating the incident.

A towboat moves a line of barges on Lake Pepin

Three Wabasha residents dead after boat crash on Lake Pepin

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