Fall River Teen Drowns in South Watuppa Pond

FALL RIVER (WBSM) — A 17-year-old boy drowned in South Watuppa Pond Sunday night.

Emergency Response to South Watuppa Pond

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said that at about 9:30 p.m. on July 12, Fall River Police received a 911 call regarding a 17-year-old boy who could not be located in the pond.

Fall River Police and Massachusetts State Police both responded to the scene.

Late-Night Search Conditions and Recovery

Authorities could not find the victim after the initial search. The Massachusetts State Police Air Wing Unit and the State Police Underwater Recovery Team also responded to the scene. State Police divers located the victim at about 11:35 p.m. in a search zone that had zero visibility.

The victim, identified only as a Fall River boy, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Initial Investigation Details

Quinn said the initial report is that a group of three juveniles were gathered at the pond. Two went into the water to swim to a floating dock, and the victim struggled while in the water and did not return to shore. He said foul play is not suspected.

The incident remains under investigation by Massachusetts State Police, State Police detectives assigned to the D.A.’s Office, and Fall River Police.