Lakeville — A multi-agency search on Long Pond ended in tragedy Wednesday when divers recovered a body while looking for a missing jet skier, authorities said. The effort began Tuesday evening after witnesses reported that someone had fallen from a jet ski near Nelson Island and the busy Big Beach area. Police have not released the victim’s name or a cause of death, and the investigation remains active.
According to NBC Boston, footage from the scene showed boats, divers and a helicopter sweeping Long Pond before recovery crews located a body during the operation. The station reported that officers were responding to a call that someone had fallen from a jet ski.
As reported by Nemasket Week, Lakeville police urged the public to steer clear of the Long Pond area while crews worked near Nelson Island and Big Beach, saying the search was being conducted "out of an abundance of caution." The outlet noted that no additional details were immediately available.
Where The Search Took Place And Safety Context
Long Pond spans parts of Lakeville and Freetown and connects to the Assawompset Pond complex, a layout that can complicate marine searches, according to Mass.gov. The state’s boating law summary notes that personal watercraft are regulated like other motorboats and recommends wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket and completing required safety training for some operators, as outlined by Mass.gov.
No additional details were available late Wednesday, according to NBC Boston, and officials continued asking the public to avoid the search area while follow-up work was underway. This story will be updated as investigators release more information.
