WESTFORD — Police and firefighters responded to a 911 call at 12:53 a.m. on Saturday reporting that a 21-year-old man had fallen into the water at Merrill’s Quarry, and despite lifesaving measures, the man later died.
The caller told the dispatcher at the Westford Public Safety Communications Center that they could no longer see or locate the individual when they called, after he went into the water at Merrill’s Quarry, which is located off Tyngsboro Road, according to a press release.
Upon arrival, Westford Police officers located the man at the bottom of the quarry, face down in the water. Members of the Westford Fire Department removed the individual from the water and immediately began life-saving measures.
The man was transported to Lowell General Hospital, where he later died due to injuries sustained in the fall and from being in the water for a prolonged period of time.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Detectives Unit, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, and the Westford Police Department’s Special Services Division.
Representatives of the Westford Police Department said they extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends of the young man who tragically lost his life.
“The Westford Police Department would like to remind the public that Merrill’s Quarry is an extremely dangerous location. The property contains significant hazards, including steep and unstable drops, deep water, and other potentially life-threatening conditions,” said the Westford Police in the press release.
“The quarry is private property and is clearly posted with numerous ‘No Trespassing’ signs. Entering the quarry without permission is not only unlawful but can have dangerous and potentially tragic consequences.”
Town officials thanked the members of the Westford Police Department, Westford Fire Department and Westford Public Safety Communications Center for their rapid response and dedicated life-saving efforts during the incident.
No further information is available at this time. Additional information will be released as appropriate while the investigation continues.
Prior drownings
Westford emergency personnel also responded to a drowning at Merrill’s Quarry on Labor Day in 2023, in which an 18-year-old man had jumped into the water and drowned.
Westford Police Capt. James Peloquin said at the time that the quarry, located on private property off Vineyard Road, has been a popular spot for trespassers on and off for decades.
Peloquin said interest in the quarry seemed to spike after the movie, “Grown Ups 2,” starring actors Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, David Spade and Kevin James, was filmed at the location. The movie was released in 2013. The comedy film features the four characters jumping off a ledge at the quarry and into the water.
“It had a resurgence, and then it quieted down,” Peloquin said about visitors to the quarry. “It’s been a problem off and on for many years.”
Peloquin noted there are signs on the property that state no trespassing. Despite the demands to stay away, people continue to sneak onto the property.
There have been several emergency responses at the location over the last two decades, including two other deaths.
In 2018, a 16-year-old boy from Lawrence, and in 2013, a 26-year-old man from Nashua, N.H., both drowned in the quarry.
In 2005, a 15-year-old girl was hospitalized after falling 30 to 40 feet from a ledge.
In 2002, a 17-year-old boy suffered injuries to his head, shoulder and leg when he hit rocks along the basin’s edge.
Following those last two incidents, authorities warned that rocks hidden below the water line and at varying depths make swimming in quarries hazardous.
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