Investigation underway after reported rescue at Watershops Pond in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - An investigation is underway at Watershops Pond in Springfield.

Fire crews responded shortly before 9:30 a.m. Wednesday and we’re told it was being investigated as a crime scene.

Springfield Fire Deputy Private Pablo Colon told us that fire, police, and paramedics were all on scene.

In 2020, the pond was drained for a year-and-a-half to conduct repairs to the dam and it was just refilled in June. When it was drained, pictures surfaced of several cars submerged in the water.

As recently as June, a car was pulled from the water, which at the time, Springfield Police spokesperson Ryan Walsh told us was reported as stolen minutes before being taken out.

We spoke with Ward 4 City Councilor Malo Brown, who told Western Mass News he’s been personally affected by safety at this pond and he’s calling for more attention towards making the area around the water safer, including posting more signage and notices.

“I’ve always had red flags up about it. I’ve had family members who died swimming in the actual Watershops Pond and it was a tragedy that shook our family, so when it comes to the actual area around there, I don’t know what it is we might do, but we have to do something more creative to kind of let people know that it’s really dangerous over there,” Brown said.

Brown said several people have reached out to him today, concerned about the latest incident. He added that he believes today’s situation was fatal.

“That’s what I’m hearing, that there was a body found. I know that they had certain people go and respond to that,” Brown noted.

The incident remains under investigation.

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