Massachusetts Seeks Pool Safety Steps After Drowning Probe

Massachusetts officials say they will not be opening slides at state-run pools this summer following a drowning.

The decision stems from a 10-month review of policies and procedures that began after the June drowning of a 36-year-old woman in a Fall River swimming pool. Marie Joseph’s body went unnoticed at the bottom of the murky pool for two days.

Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Edward Lambert says while the pool’s slide did not appear to be a direct factor in the death, the state will close the slides until a national safety study is completed.

The department is also recommending creation of a full-time aquatics division and the hiring of 20 additional lifeguards at state pools.

Lambert says the review pointed to an “inadequate approach to pool management” in the past.

Latest Comments

• April 24, 2012 at 2:14 pm

  wudchuck says:

  state pool?! how does one end up in a state public pool and no lifeguard? how does someone miss a woman for 2 days w/o even reporting her missing after 24 hours in most case... read more
• April 23, 2012 at 6:47 pm

  DBP says:

  this has to do with pool management! nobody walked around the pool?? no skimming with a net for leaves,etc. Shame on that county and state.
• April 23, 2012 at 4:22 pm

  Nan says:

  With the lack of parental supervision these days, no state or city pool should have a slide or diving board... we taxpayers end up with the bill.