ATHOL — A bomb threat sent via email to Athol Hospital on Thursday morning was deemed not credible, according to Athol police.
After the threat was reported at about 8:08 a.m., police units from both Athol and Gardner responded to the hospital. Athol Hospital’s spokesperson said the hospital activated its “Code Yellow” protocol, specifically designed for bomb threats. During this period, the Athol Hospital campus was under a “Code Black Diversion” status for around three hours. Both Athol Hospital and Heywood Hospital in Gardner underwent thorough searches and were declared safe, allowing normal hospital operations to resume by midday on Thursday.
The spokesperson said the bomb threat procedure (Code Yellow) was implemented at Heywood Hospital as a cautionary step. The threat is believed to be a part of a larger pattern of ‘swatting’ incidents occurring statewide and nationally.
Following their investigation, Athol police said there is presently no credible threat and danger to the public. The hospital has resumed its normal operations.
