D.A.’s Office Says Body Found in Taunton Was Drowning Victim

TAUNTON — Taunton Police and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office are investigating an apparent drowning which occurred late this morning in Taunton.

The District Attorney’s Office says Taunton Police responded to an area commonly known as the "Clay Ponds" behind the Taunton Public Works Building at 90 Ingell Street around 11:30 a.m this morning for a report of a man in the water. The 911 call was placed by the victim's friend, who had gone fishing at the grouping of ponds with the victim this morning. 

When police and first responders arrived on scene, they located the surviving friend in the water, holding the victim's head above the water line. The group of first responders and the victim's friend were able to hoist the victim back onto shore, where he was given CPR before being rushed to Morton Hospital.

The victim, Luke Walker, 75, of Dorchester, was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.

The D.A.’s Office says preliminary investigation revealed Walker may have slipped into the water down a slippery, muddy embankment and become trapped while his waders and heavy clothing filled with water.

The investigation remains ongoing and the medical examiner's office will conduct an autopsy to confirm the cause and manner of death.