SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Police Department 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 of Congamond Lake, and dove underneath the water and didn’t resurface above water.
Immediately, Southwick Police and Fire arrived to Middle Pond, right 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.
Authorities seem to believe that the individual may have drowned.
The Massachusetts State Police and the Massachusetts Environmental Police are assisting in the recovery operation as it will continue on Friday.
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 will be closed on Friday for all recreational activities.
The closing of Middle Pond on Friday is to ensure the safety and security of the first responders who will be continuing the recovery operation.
However, both states boat launches will remain open so boaters can have access to North and South Ponds.
More updates will be given once more information unfolds with the recovery operation.
