Royalston, MA—The Trustees of Reservations today announced a ban effective immediately on all swimming, diving, and wading at Doane's Falls in Royalston. The ban will be in effect while The Trustees conduct conducts a review of existing safety measures its existing management at of the Falls. The Falls will remain open for hiking during the ban.The action follows Monday's fatality at Doane's Falls, where a man slipped and fell to his death from one of the ledges at the lower falls. "On behalf of The Trustees, I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to the family of Stephen Vaughan," said Regional Director Dick O' Brien, who has managed Doane's Falls for The Trustees for the past 18 years.
The review of safety measures by the Trustees will consider those now in effect, those that might be added, and whether or not there should be a permanent ban on swimming, diving, and wading. Prior to the ban, The Trustees discouraged swimming and diving. Extra Trustees staff and local off-duty police officers will patrol the property and enforce the ban.
"This is not a decision that we take lightly," O'Brien said. "However, a man died here recently and we cannot ignore that fact." O'Brien continued, "Our organization's mission is to preserve exceptional properties for public enjoyment and we must always consider how our properties, many of them natural and wild, can be safely enjoyed. With properties like Doane's Falls, we are constantly reviewing the balance between allowing for the fullest use and providing for the safest use."
Doane's Falls is formed as Lawrence Brook tumbles over a series of ledges, some as high as 15 feet. It has been a popular local swimming area with swimmers often diving into pools from the surrounding ledges.
The Trustees of Reservations has managed Doane's Falls since acquiring the property in 1959. Following a series of fatal accidents between 1988 and 1991 involving unusually high or low water conditions, The Trustees began a policy of discouraging swimming and diving at Doane's Falls using a series of warning signs and restricting access to particularly dangerous ledge areas at the upper falls. At the same time, The Trustees placed rescue buoys and an emergency telephone at the Falls, and during the summer Trustees staff patrolled the property by foot and advised visitors of the dangers of swimming and diving.