Waltham Fire and Police Respond to Moody Street Bridge Water Rescue

On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 3:12 p.m., Waltham 911 received reports of a man on the Moody Street Bridge. Dispatchers subsequently received additional calls reporting that the individual had entered the water.

Waltham Fire Department Car 1 (Chief), C4 (Training Deputy Chief), and H1 (Training Captain) were in the area and were the first WFD units on scene. Upon arrival, they found Waltham Police Department officers assisting three individuals in the water, approximately halfway across the bridge on its west side. Waltham Police officers had thrown life jackets into the water and were holding two water rescue ropes. Captain John Bonadio, assigned to H1, entered the water to assist until crews from Rescue 1 and Squad 5 could reach and remove the civilians.

According to initial reports, one man entered the river, followed by two nearby civilians who attempted to help him. A third civilian also entered the water to assist with the rescue. In total, four civilians entered the water. One was able to get out before WFD personnel arrived.

Waltham Fire Department personnel, working alongside Waltham Police, removed the remaining three civilians from the water. Two individuals were transported to area hospitals by EMS crews. WFD and EMS personnel performed CPR on one of the rescued individuals, who subsequently died. The other two individuals who had entered the water were evaluated at the scene and signed refusals of transport. No injuries to Waltham Fire Department personnel were reported.

Additional Waltham Fire Department units responding to the incident included Car 2 (Fire Suppression Deputy Chief/Shift Commander), Engine 1, Squad 5, Ladder 2, the Moody Street Boat, Rescue 1, Engine 2, Engine 6A, and the Central Boat.

Responding emergency medical services (EMS) units included Waltham's Armstrong FS2, Medic 1, and Medic 2; Newton Medic 1, Medic 2, and a supervisor; and Watertown Medic 1.