Rescue crews conducted a failed search for an individual who reportedly went missing in the Potomac River near Fletcher’s Boathouse on Sunday.
Witnesses told officials that the person tried to swim across the body of water from the Virginia side into DC on Sunday at approximately 3 pm and did not resurface.
DC police Harbor station units, Arlington Fire Department, and Maryland State Police also took part in the rescue efforts, which ended at around 7 pm.
Today’s apparently drowning near Fletchers Boathouse is the 2nd loss of life this month of people trying to swim the Potomac. The other was nearby in @MontgomeryCoMD. The river around & north of Fletchers is beautiful, scenic, but DANGEROUS! Don’t put your life at risk. pic.twitter.com/fLsOOieo8V
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) June 6, 2021
DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) concluded that the victim has likely drowned, hence, the mission would be a recovery, rather than a rescue, due to the period of time that has passed since the reporting of the incident.
The incident was described as “the 2nd loss of life this month of people trying to swim the Potomac,” in a tweet posted by DC Fire and EMS. “The river around & north of Fletchers is beautiful, scenic, but DANGEROUS! Don’t put your life at risk,” added the tweet.
Update water rescue Potomac River vicinity Fletchers Boathouse. Search continues but some resources being released. @USCG is also assisting. pic.twitter.com/zWDSFLSs5G
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) June 6, 2021
The other person drowned in the river was 26-year-old Franky Smith Gonzales Sapaico, of Springfield, Virginia, and his body was recovered in Montgomery County, Maryland, on Friday, June 4, according to the Department.
It is illegal to swim or wade in the Potomac River.