13-Year-Old Boy Drowns In Walden Pond Reservoir

SAUGUS (CBS) -- A 13-year-old Lynn boy died in an apparent drowning in the Walden Pond Reservoir in the Lynn Woods Reservation Sunday, Massachusetts State Police said.

Saugus and Lynn police and fire departments responded to the remote area in the reservation, near Walden Pond Avenue on the Lynn/Saugus line, around 2 p.m. Sunday. A caller had reported a boy that had been swimming with two friends in the reservoir was having difficulty swimming.

The Lynn Woods Reservation borders Saugus, Lynnfield, and Lynn. There is no watchful lifeguard at the reservoir, as swimming is not allowed in the drinking water.

Neighbors told WBZ-TV's Katie Brace that illegal swimming is a constant problem, and they have been warning visitors not to go in for years.

"Usually they come and they jump off the pump house and dive into the water, there's pipes and things down there," said Karen Benson, who lives across the street from the pond.

At first, the reservoir's murky water prevented responders from finding the boy. The Saugus Fire Department said they found the boy in the water around 2:33 p.m. The boy was taken to Lynn Union Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The Cambridge Police Dive Team and Mass. State Police Air Wing also responded Sunday.

Those who live nearby said they hoped visitors would now stay out of the water.

"They just want to come and cool off and, you know, come and swim and have a good time," said Patrick Pisano, who lives nearby. "Which, we understand, but, it's a safety issue, we don't want somebody to get hurt, there's no lifeguards here."

Police said no foul play is suspected. The boy's name has not yet been released.