A 75-year-old grandmother has died after being pulled from a pond in Acton, Massachusetts, while trying to rescue her young grandson, who also died following the incident.
The tragedy happened Friday afternoon at the Nathaniel Allen Recreation Area, commonly known as NARA Park, on Ledge Rock Way. The grandmother had been at the park with her three grandchildren, and officials said the family did not appear to be there for swimming.
Authorities believe the toddler, who was nearly 2 years old, may have accidentally made his way toward the water during a walk. The child entered the pond, and his grandmother went into the water in an apparent attempt to save him.
The toddler was pulled from the water and taken by medical helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he later died. His grandmother was also rescued and initially remained in critical condition. She was transferred to a Boston-area hospital but later died from her injuries.
The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. in a section of the pond that is not designated for swimming. Officials said the water in that area becomes deep quickly, reaching roughly 12 to 15 feet, while slippery rocks made the rescue more difficult.
The children’s mother had dropped the grandmother and the three grandchildren off at the park, according to officials. The two older children, ages 4 and 6, remained near the shore and sought help after the younger boy entered the water.
Their calls for assistance drew the attention of people nearby. Witnesses and lifeguards from across the pond responded, pulled the grandmother and toddler from the water and began lifesaving efforts before additional emergency crews arrived.
Acton Fire Chief Anita Arnum praised the lifeguards, bystanders and first responders who responded to the emergency.
“Incidents like this are difficult for everyone involved, particularly when the outcome is not what we hope for,” Arnum said.
Arnum also described the rescue efforts as heroic, saying those who responded worked together and gave everything they could to try to save the two victims.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation. Authorities have not released the names of the grandmother or her grandson.
NARA Park is a 40-acre recreation area that includes a swimming pond, walking trails and other recreational facilities. The town operates the park year-round, while the seasonal beach area is staffed by lifeguards during the summer.
The deaths have left the family and those who responded to the emergency facing a devastating loss.
