Potomac River Water Rescue

On Sunday April 26, 2009 at about 5:00 PM, the District of Columbia Fire Department, Washington Metropolitan Police Department, United States Park Police, Arlington County Fire Department, and United States Coast Guard responded to a river rescue in the Potomac River.

Units arrived on the Potomac River south of Chain Bridge to learn that an 11 year old male had been playing on the rocks along the Potomac River with his father. The 11 year old entered the river and was swept downstream.

This 11 year old boy was unable to be immediately rescued and the First Responder Units set up a rescue operation.

Assets from the Harbor Patrol and Aviation units have been diligently searching the water and the shore lines in an attempt to locate the missing boy.

As the rescue unfolds, District of Columbia Police Harbor Patrol Officers remind the public that the Potomac River is treacherous with swift water just below the surface. Personal Flotation Devices are strongly encouraged for people using the Park areas adjacent to the river and strongly cautioned not to enter the water.