Norton crews, Massachusetts State Police, dive teams, among those who recover body of 42-year-old man, identity announced

NORTON — Chief Shawn Simmons reports that the Norton Fire Department, with assistance from the Norton Police Department and multiple mutual aid partners, including the Bristol North Regional Dive Team, have recovered a body from Norton Reservoir.

The body of Ronald Carty, 42, of Attleboro was discovered at approximately 11 p.m. Monday by Massachusetts Environmental Police, who were using sonar equipment. His body was recovered by State Police divers.

First responders received a call at approximately 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 3, reporting that a man had jumped off a boat into Norton Reservoir and did not surface.

The two other occupants of the boat told first responders that they tossed a life preserver to the man in the water, but that he did not grab it before dipping below the surface.

Norton first responders, assisted by many nearby agencies as well as Massachusetts State Police and Massachusetts Environmental Police, immediately began a search operation to locate the man.

Multiple dive teams participated in the search, and first responders turned to sonar to find the victim’s body.

According to Gregg Miliote of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, the drowning appears to be accidental in nature, but the investigation into the death remains active and ongoing at this time.

Chief Simmons would like to thank the Norton Police Department and the mutual aid partners who responded, including the Norton Emergency Management, Cumberland (R.I.) Dive Team, Bristol North Regional Dive Team, Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council (METRO-LEC), Massachusetts State Police and Massachusetts Environmental Police.