A missing Lakeville teen was rescued Thursday evening from Long Pond after a jet ski accident left the 18-year-old stranded on one of the pond’s three islands, police said.
The teen was reported missing shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, after he failed to return from an excursion to Long Pond, the largest natural pond in the state, the Lakeville Police Department said in a statement.
Moments after receiving the missing person’s report, police received a call from a resident living near the pond who heard shouts for help coming from the water.
Lakeville Police and Fire units began searching the 1,780 acre pond, which contains three private islands — Goat, Lewis and Nelson, according to MassWildlife.
The Lakeville Police Boating Enforcement Unit enforces boating safety and conducts search and rescue operations on Long Pond.
Lakeville Police Lt. Ryan Maltais, who was operating the Lakeville Police boat, located the missing 18-year-old on Lewis Island at approximately 8:48 p.m., police said.
The teen told police he had been thrown from a jet ski and swam to the island, which is only accessible by boat.
He was transported by boat to a marina, where he declined transportation to an area hospital. A spokesperson for the Lakeville Police Department declined to comment further on the teen’s condition.
The incident is under investigation by the Lakeville Police Department and the Massachusetts Environmental Police.
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Lakeville Police lieutenant locates missing teen jet ski operator
