WEST SUFFIELD – The search for the missing swimmer on the Middle Pond section of Congamond Lake came to a close on Saturday morning. The Southwick Police Department announced that at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, the body had been found and identified as Michael Chace, 33 of Enfield, Conn.
Authorities believe that the individual may have drowned.
The Southwick Police Department originally received a 911 call at approximately 2:39 p.m. on Thursday afternoon from a woman who reported that her friend was swimming from a boat on Middle Pond, dove underneath the water and didn’t resurface.
Southwick first responders, along with the Massachusetts State Police and Environmental Police, have discovered the missing swimmer on Middle Pond on Saturday morning. (WNG File Photo)
Immediately, Southwick Police and Fire arrived to Middle Pond on the shoreline on Babb’s Beach in West Suffield. The Southwick Diving Team began to conduct a rescue operation in order to find the swimmer.
The diving team, along with the police and fire departments, worked for a little less than an hour on the rescue operation, before switching to a recovery operation. The Massachusetts State Police and the Massachusetts Environmental Police assisted in the recovery operation.
Sgt. Rhett Bannish made an announcement on Thursday night that was sent to all Southwick residents, informing them that due to the drowning, Middle Pond was closed on Friday for all recreational activities. The closing of Middle Pond on Friday was in effort to insure the safety and security of the first responders who were continuing the recovery operation.
However, both states boat launches remained open on Friday so boaters could have access to North and South Ponds.
All emergency personnel then resumed their recovery operation on Friday morning. After still no sign of the missing swimmer, on Friday afternoon, Sgt. Bannish sent out another message to all Southwick residents informing them that the recovery operation on Friday was terminated and would pick back up on Saturday morning.
Bannish also mentioned that all of Congamond Lakes, including Middle Pond, would be back open for recreation activities on Saturday.
