SHREWSBURY, Mass. — Local, regional and state emergency teams conducted an extensive search of Lake Quinsigamond on Sunday after a report of a person in the water near Sunset Beach, officials said.
Shrewsbury police said they were called to the lake at about 3:45 p.m. for a report that someone may have been drowning. Dozens of responders arrived and carried out a coordinated effort that continued into the evening but had not located the reported victim by 8:45 p.m., according to media statements and on‑scene reporting.
Who responded
The search drew a broad response from municipal and state agencies, combining surface, underwater and airborne resources:
- Shrewsbury Police Department and the Shrewsbury police boat
- Shrewsbury Fire Department
- Worcester Police and Worcester Fire District 7 Dive Team
- District 14 Dive Team
- Northborough Fire Department (assisting)
- Holden Fire Department
- Worcester EMS
- Massachusetts State Police and Massachusetts Environmental Police
Teams used boats, divers, underwater remotely operated vehicles and airborne drones in the search, according to a Shrewsbury Police Department media statement and local television reporting.
Scene details and witness account
Dozens of emergency personnel gathered at Sunset Beach, a private beach on the lake. One nearby resident and recreational fisherman described seeing a life jacket in the water and a jet ski circling the area before responders arrived.
"As I was driving by I see a lifejacket in the water and a jetski circling around the lifejacket," said Maicol Cruz, who was fishing nearby. "I kind of find it shocking because there's usually a lot of people on the lake all the time."
Local television crews recorded firefighters, police and rescue boats searching the water and shoreline during the afternoon and evening hours. Officials had not released further details about the person’s age, gender or how the incident began.
Official statements and public safety note
In a media statement, the Shrewsbury Police Department said it was "committed to utilizing every available resource to protect those who live, work, and recreate on and around the lake," and that it remained "dedicated to providing a safe environment for everyone in our community."
Northborough Fire Department also posted that it was assisting Shrewsbury and regional dive teams with an ongoing search for a missing person on Lake Quinsigamond, according to a department social media post.
Search timeline
| Time (approx.) | Action |
|---|---|
| 3:45 p.m. | Initial call to Shrewsbury police reporting possible drowning near Sunset Beach |
| Afternoon–evening | Multiple local and regional agencies respond; surface, dive and aerial searches conducted |
| 8:45 p.m. | Search ongoing; person not located as of this time |
Authorities have not released further information about the condition of the reported victim or whether any recovery had been made after the evening update. Media outlets on scene said they had reached out to involved departments for additional details but had not received them as of late Sunday.
What residents should know
Lake Quinsigamond is a popular spot in the region for boating, fishing and recreation during the summer months. When an active search is underway, residents and visitors should:
- Keep clear of staging areas and follow directions from police or fire personnel.
- Avoid entering the water near the incident scene to prevent interference with rescue operations.
- Report any information about the incident immediately to local authorities.
As the search continued Sunday night, authorities urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the Shrewsbury Police Department. No further details were available at the time of publication.
This report will be updated as additional information is released by officials.
