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Authorities investigating possible drowning of boy in Middleborough pond

E-mail|Link August 28, 2010 06:29 PM

By John M. Guilfoil, Globe Staff, and Jason Woods, Globe Correspondent

MIDDLEBOROUGH – Authorities are investigating the possible drowning of a 12-year-old boy in a town pond.

The boy was swimming in Tispaquin Pond at about 4 p.m. today when he disappeared, said Barbara Holton, 56, owner of Tispaquin Family Camping, a campground near the pond.

Middleborough, Bridgewater and Lakeville fire department dive teams responded and found the boy about 20 minutes later.

The pond has no lifeguards. Signs are posted saying “No lifeguards. Swim at your own risk.” A buoyed area is designated for swimming, but the boy was found beyond the buoys, Holton said.

Holton said the boy was from Rhode Island and was visiting relatives in Middleborough.

The boy was airlifted to Children’s Hospital Boston in “very serious condition,” firefighters said at the scene.

Holton said the boy’s mother had been notified and was heading to Boston.

Globe Correspondent George Rizer contributed to this report. John M. Guilfoil can be reached at jguilfoil@globe.com.