Capsized boat found in Whately

WHATELY, Mass. (WWLP) - A capsized boat on Allards Pond in Whately caused quite a commotion Saturday.

Whately Fire Chief John Hannum told 22News a caller reported a capsized boat in the pond and a white pickup truck parked nearby around 3:15 Saturday afternoon.

By the time emergency crews got there, the truck was gone. But they did find an ice windsurfer that had broken through ice, submerged halfway underwater.

A State Police helicopter searched the area while rescue divers searched the pond for hours, but no body was found.

Chief Hannum told 22News while that was a relief, the panic could have been avoided. "If that white pickup had stayed here till somebody got here or called and reported to the owner or to the police that he is out of the water, nobody would be here now," said Hannum.

The Northfield dive rescue team determined the ice around the boat was freshly broken.

The boat has been towed to a secure location while authorities search for its owner.