Massachusetts officials will not open slides at state-run pools this summer, following a policy review stemming from the June 2011 drowning of Marie Joseph.
The 36-year-old woman drowned in Veterans Memorial Pool in Fall River. Her body went unnoticed at the bottom of the pool for two days because water was dangerously cloudy.
Investigations did not cite the slide as a direct cause of Joseph’s death, but Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Edward Lambert told local media all slides will be closed pending completion of a national safety study.
Reports indicate that the department also is recommending creation of a state aquatics division and the hiring of a full-time aquatics director, along with 20 additional lifeguards at state pools.
