WORCESTER, MA — Shrewsbury police officers jumped into Lake Quinsigamond on May 27, 2026, to rescue a man who had fled from an ambulance and refused to exit the water for two hours.
A 19-year-old male fled from an ambulance at UMass Memorial Medical Center on Lake Avenue at approximately 9:55 a.m.
The man entered the waters of Lake Quinsigamond just north of Regatta Point State Park on the Worcester side of the lake shortly after fleeing.
Multiple Shrewsbury police officers launched the Shrewsbury Police Department boat to assist Worcester Police and UMass Police immediately upon being notified of a person in the water.
The Shrewsbury Police Department jet ski was also later launched.
For approximately two hours, the individual refused to exit the water or comply with police.
The Worcester Police Crisis Intervention Team attempted unsuccessfully to persuade the male to exit the water.
At approximately 12:10 p.m., Lt. Caviston and Detective Chysna, who had deployed the Shrewsbury Police Department jet ski, made the decision to jump into the water to physically escort the male to safety.
The male was brought to shore, handcuffed, and then loaded onto the Shrewsbury Police boat.
He was transported to the docks at Regatta Point, where he was transferred to an awaiting ambulance.
Several Shrewsbury officers on land responded, as well as the Shrewsbury Police Department drone unit and the Massachusetts Environmental Police.
