22 July, 2023
Interim Fire Chief Gary Daugherty and Police Chief Joseph Bennett regret to report that, following a coordinated search involving multiple public-safety agencies, the body of a 21-year-old man was recovered in Lake Maspenock on Saturday morning.
On Friday, July 21, a 911 caller reported that a swimmer, subsequently identified as WILINSON J. ORBEQUITO, age 21, of HOPKINTON, had not returned from a swim at Sandy Beach.
Upon arrival Hopkinton firefighters and police officers began to search the beach line, and deployed the Fire Department’s sonar-equipped rescue boats. They were supported by Massachusetts Fire District 14 Dive Team, and Natick Fire Department and Westborough Fire Department boats.
First responders learned that ORBEQUITO and his friend went beyond the safe-swimming zone marked with buoys and continued further into Lake Maspenock.
The search was suspended at about midnight Friday due to a number of challenges including an intense storm and limited visibility.
Hopkinton first responders resumed the search at 6:15 a.m. on Saturday, later being supported by the District 14 Dive Team, along with Auburn Firefighter Matthew Ethier and K-9 Riggs.
First responders recovered the body of ORBEQUITO at about 8:10 a.m., in 12 feet of water about 90 feet from the shore along the buoy line.
Further details will not be released at this time pending the determination of the cause of the death.
Interim Chief Daugherty and Chief Bennett wish to recognize their department members for their swift and professional response, and Dive Team members who train regularly to provide high-level rescue response. They also wish to thank Massachusetts Fire District 14 Dive Team, and the Auburn Fire Department its support.
**PREVIOUS UPDATE BELOW**
Interim Fire Chief Gary Daugherty and Police Chief Joseph Bennett regret to report that, following a coordinated search involving multiple public-safety agencies, the body of a 21-year-old man was recovered in Lake Maspenock on Saturday morning.
On Friday, July 21, a 911 caller reported that a swimmer had not returned from a swim at Sandy Beach.
Upon arrival Hopkinton firefighters and police officers began to search the beach line, and deployed the Fire Department’s sonar-equipped rescue boats. They were supported by Massachusetts Fire District 14 Dive Team, and Natick Fire Department and Westborough Fire Department boats.
First responders learned that the swimmers went beyond the safe-swimming zone marked with buoys and continued further into Lake Maspenock.
The search was suspended at about midnight Friday due to a number of challenges including an intense storm and limited visibility.
Hopkinton first responders resumed the search at 6:15 a.m. on Saturday, later being supported by the District 14 Dive Team, along with Auburn Firefighter Matthew Ethier and K-9 Riggs.
First responders recovered the missing swimmer at about 8:10 a.m., in 12 feet of water about 90 feet from the shore along the buoy line.
Further details will not be released at this time pending the determination of the cause of the death and a positive identification from the Office of the Medical Examiner.
Interim Chief Daugherty and Chief Bennett wish to recognize their department members for their swift and professional response, and Dive Team members who train regularly to provide high-level rescue response. They also wish to thank Massachusetts Fire District 14 Dive Team, and the Auburn Fire Department its support.
**FIRST UPDATE BELOW**
Hopkinton Police, Fire Departments Will Resume Search for Missing Swimmer Early Saturday Morning
HOPKINTON — Police Chief Joseph Bennett and Interim Fire Chief Gary Daugherty report that their first responders are jointly involved in the search for a 22-year-old male swimmer who went missing Friday.
A 911 call came in around 8 p.m. Friday to report that a swimmer had not returned with his friend after a swim at Sandy Beach. The swimmers went beyond the safe-swimming zone set up at the beach and continued further into Lake Maspenock. Upon arriving at the beach, the returning swimmer noticed his friend was missing and called 911.
Hopkinton firefighters and police officers immediately kicked off a search. Divers from the Massachusetts Fire District 14 Technical Rescue Team also participated. The Hopkinton Fire Department used its sonar-equipped rescue boats and received mutual aid from Natick Fire Department and Westborough Fire Department boats.
Search efforts continued until about midnight. Severe weather resulted in multiple interruptions of the operation.
Search crews will resume operations at 7 a.m. Saturday. Sandy Beach remains closed until further notice as first responders continue their efforts.
This is now considered a recovery operation. The family of the missing swimmer has been notified.
“We responded to the scene along with the Hopkinton Fire Department, and we have worked as a team with Interim Chief Daugherty’s firefighters throughout this operation,” Chief Bennett said. “The efforts of Police Sgt. Bill Burchard and Fire Lt. Scott Jurasek resulted in a cohesive effort that brought together all of our resources.”
“Lt. Jurasek’s swift actions allowed us to begin a search operation immediately,” said Interim Chief Daugherty. “We faced a number of obstacles during the search, including limited visibility and thick weeds in the lake. We decided around midnight to halt the recovery effort and will return in the morning when conditions are safer.”
Chief Bennett and Interim Chief Daugherty praised the efforts of the technical rescue team’s divers and Hopkinton’s mutual aid partners throughout the operation.
They also ask swimmers to follow these safety guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Always use the buddy system. Don’t swim alone.
Be aware of local weather conditions, which can change quickly.
Watch out for hidden hazards in the water, such as rocks and vegetation, that can limit visibility.
