Tragedy as sister, 5, and brother, 3, both drown when their boat capsizes during family sailing trip as rescuers are still searching for their father
- Wisconsin father Bill Salnik took his young children, Charlotte and Josh, sailing
- They were traveling on Lake Michigan when their boat capsized
- Charlotte and Josh’s bodies have been found, and Bill is still missing
Two young children tragically drowned in Lake Michigan after the boat their still-missing father was taking them on capsized.
Bill Salnik, a 32-year-old Wisconsin father, took his five-year-old daughter Charlotte and three-year-old son Josh on a sailing trip. We last heard from him at 4 p.m. Saturday, when they departed from Green Island in Lake Michigan’s Green Bay, after having departed Oconto Harbor around 10 a.m. Saturday.
According to local officials, the trio, traveling on Bill’s boat My Lady Blue, were supposed to sail to a marina near Oconto but never arrived.
Local police received a report of a late-arriving boater around noon on Sunday after no word had been received from Bill, who was from nearby Little Suamico.
A search by air and water Sunday night resulted in the discovery of My Lady Blue capsized at 6:22 a.m. Monday just south of Chambers Island.
Local dad Bill Salnik (pictured left) took his daughter Charlotte (pictured right) and three-year-old son Josh out sailing. We last heard from him at 4 p.m. Saturday.
The trio, traveling on Bill’s boat My Lady Blue (pictured), were supposed to sail to a marina near Oconto but never arrived.
The bodies of Charlotte and Josh (pictured, center) were found about a mile south of where the boat was found.
Less than five hours later, Charlotte and Josh’s bodies were found about a mile south of where the boat was found.
Local police said they would continue the search for Bill, as the warm water and air temperatures increase the chance that he is still alive.
Bill appeared to be a relatively experienced sailor.
In May, he posted a video on social media of himself and his two children sailing across Green Bay on the My Lady Blue, from “Oconto to Little Sturgeon and back.”
The video showed his two young children happily snacking as he steered the boat through calm waters.
Many tributes poured in for the young family and many people contacted Bill’s family to express their condolences.
Someone told Tina Salnik, Bill’s mother and grandmother of his children, “I’m so sorry for your loss. God’s speed to your grandchildren – may they be in peace and in the arms of angels.
“I’m praying for Billy and your entire family.”
Another said: ‘Tina, there are no words for the sadness I feel.’