22 August, 2024
Police Chief Joseph Bennett and Fire Chief Gary Daugherty report that the Hopkinton Police and Fire Departments responded Thursday to Whitehall Reservoir for a boater in distress.
On Thursday, Aug. 22, at approximately 4:42 p.m., the Hopkinton Police and Fire Departments were called to the Whitehall Reservoir at 300 Wood St., for a report of a boater in distress.
Another boater noticed the individual in distress, called 911, and stayed on the telephone with dispatchers while emergency crews responded.
First responders arrived at the Reservoir to discover that a boater who was in distress was assisted onto an island in the reservoir by another boater. The other boater provided critical care to the boater in distress.
Hopkinton Fire Department, with mutual aid from Westborough firefighters, put boats into the water to reach those on the island. The District 14 Dive Team also responded. Firefighters then took over care of the boater and brought him and family members who were also in the boat back to shore.
The boater, an adult male, was then taken to a regional trauma center, where he was pronounced dead.
The incident remains under investigation by the Hopkinton Police Department, with assistance from the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office.
It appears the incident was medical in nature, so additional information is not expected to be released.
