Body of 26-year-old drowning victim recovered from Berkshire County quarry

The body of a 26-year-old man who drowned was recovered at Becket Quarry in Berkshire County Saturday morning, according to the Southwick Police Department.

The man was swimming across the quarry with a woman sometime before 5:30 p.m. Friday, according to a statement from the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office. “The male began to struggle and quickly submerged under the water.”

The woman, and others who were on the shore, attempted to rescue the man but were unsuccessful, the statement reads.

The Berkshire County Dive Team, with the assistance of the Southwick Police, found the body Friday night using a submersible drone to navigate the waters. But because of a rover malfunction and nighttime visibility conditions, the dive team decided to leave and return on Saturday, the district attorney’s statement reads.

The submersible drone helped divers locate the body Saturday morning at around 11 a.m., police said. The man was not identified.

“We wish to extend our sincere condolences to the family of the victim and our appreciation to all public safety personnel who assisted in this incident,” the police department statement reads.

The district attorney offered words of caution.

“Based on statements from individuals who witnessed the drowning, the victim went under the water in a matter of seconds,” District Attorney Timothy J. Shugrue stated. “The Berkshires have experienced a number of drownings, from children to adults, in the past few years. It is of critical importance to respect the danger that water presents. In this hot weather, I urge all residents to practice safety and vigilance while swimming in lakes, rivers and pools. Even strong swimmers must take safety precautions in the water.”