18-Year-Old Drowns While Swimming With Friends At Westford Quarry

WESTFORD, MA — An 18-year-old drowned at a Westford quarry on Monday, according to reports. Firefighters were called to Merrill's Quarry off Vineyard Road at 4:16 p.m. for a possible drowning.

The caller reported that the teen had jumped off a ledge into the water and not resurfaced, according to a fire department statement. First responders asked bystanders about the man's last known location and began a search.

Following a massive search effort, crews found the victim at 5:24 p.m. and removed him from the water.

The Westford Fire Department, Westford Police Department, Tyngsboro Fire-Rescue, Lowell Fire Department Dive Team, and State Police Air Wing all assisted in the water search.

One firefighter suffered minor injuries during the search.

Reports indicate that the victim was swimming with his friends, according to WBZ CBS News Boston. His body was found 40 feet underwater.

The quarry had been deemed dangerous and marked with signs prohibiting visitors.

The site is private property with posted "No Trespassing" signs that are "plainly visible to anybody on the property," according to a Westford Police Department statement from 2021.

"The quarry is littered with many hazards including broken glass, sharp edges from rocks, steep cliffs, unseen rock ledges just under the surface of the water and other hazards under water," police wrote. "Because of these numerous hazards, in past years many people have either been seriously injured or killed at the quarry."

A fire official told WCVB 5-ABC this is the second time that first responders were called to the quarry recently. They rescued another person at the quarry last week.

Monday's drowning is under investigation.