17-year-old teen dies in drowning at Fall River’s South Watuppa Pond

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn, III announced a drowning in South Watuppa Pond last evening. 

At approximately 9:30 p.m., Fall River Police received a 911 call regarding a 17-year-old male who could not be located in the South Watuppa Pond. Fall River Police responded along with Massachusetts State Police. 

An initial search was not successful in locating the victim.  The Massachusetts State Police Airwing along with the State Police Underwater Recovery Team (Dive Team) also responded. 

FRFD, the FRPD Harbormaster, and State Police Divers located the 17-year-old male victim at approximately 11:35 p.m.  The State Police divers search zone was an area with zero visibility. 

The 17-year-old male victim from Fall River was pronounced deceased on scene.

The initial report was that a group of three juveniles were gathered in the area of South Watuppa Pond.  Two juveniles entered the water to swim to a floating dock. The decedent struggled while in the water and did not return to shore. 

The investigation into this matter is active and ongoing by the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office along with the Massachusetts State Police and Fall River Police.  Foul play is not suspected, and no further information is available at this time.