An investigation is ongoing in Methuen into the drowning a five-year-old child who police believe fell into a covered, in-ground swimming pool Sunday afternoon.
Emergency responders were initially called at about 12:39 p.m., Sunday, to a home at 3 Russell St., Methuen, for a report of a missing child believed to have fallen into a backyard pool, which had not been used in several years, according to Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon.
“The child was being watched by a 15-year-old babysitter. It appears the child exited the house unknowingly and stepped onto the cover and fell in,” Solomon said.
The child was located in the pool at about 1 p.m. as responders searched in dark murky waters and in zero visibility. The unidentified five-year old was transported to Lawrence General Hospital and declared deceased at approximately 2:27 p.m. A Methuen firefighter received facial injuries when he fell on slippery stairs leading to the pool, Solomon said.
An investigation is ongoing with assistance from Massachusetts state police detectives assigned to Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett’s office.