Northeast Iowa Girl Dies After 4th of July Watercraft Collision in North Iowa

A Northeast Iowa girl has passed away from injuries suffered when the personal watercraft she was riding on as a passenger was involved in a collision on Clear Lake on July 4.

The Iowa DNR says, around 5:30 PM Saturday, two personal watercraft collided near the boat ramp at MacIntosh Woods State Park, on a part of the lake known locally as Little Lake. Passengers on a nearby pontoon immediately rendered aid. 

Iowa DNR water patrol and conservation officers, Ventura and Clear Lake fire departments, Iowa State Patrol, Clear Lake Police Department and the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office were quickly on scene.

Five individuals were on the two personal watercrafts and all five were transported to Mercy-One North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City.

The DNR says an unidentified 14-year-old girl from Dyersville passed away on Sunday (07.05). Another 15-year-old female from Mason City was transferred to Mayo Clinic in Rochester and is in serious condition.

Three people, all from Greenwood, South Caralina, were treated and released on Saturday. They included 35-year-old Chelsea Maxwell, plus  an 11-year-old female and a 12-year-old male.

Investigation into what caused the two personal watercraft to collide is in its early stages, but Iowa DNR offices have ruled out alcohol or other impairments as a contributing factor. The investigation remains ongoing.