Third Swimmer Goes Missing In Potomac River This Summer

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — First responders are searching for a man who disappeared Tuesday while swimming in the Potomac River.

Pete Piringer, of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, said the rescue operation was initiated around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday after receiving reports of two missing swimmers.

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Both swimmers were initially reported to have gone missing in the area of the Spotzbergen Rock, just south of Sandy Landing in the Potomac River. However, one of the swimmers managed to self-rescue onto the Virginia shoreline.

Piringer identified the missing swimmer as a 25-year-old man. No identifying information was provided for the swimmer who self-rescued.

The search was temporarily called off Tuesday after severe weather rolled into the region.

In addition to the MCFRS, the search operation has included the participation of crews from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, as well as the use of K9s, sonar technology and underwater drones.

Related:

• Body Of Missing Swimmer Recovered From Potomac River: MCFRS
• Body Of Missing Teen Recovered From Potomac River

The latest comes after two other swimmers — 20-year-old Nazir Bell and a 16-year-old boy — died after swimming in the Potomac River earlier this summer.

County authorities have repeatedly told the public that swimming is banned at the waterway, explaining that the Potomac River's depth and strong currents can quickly turn deadly. Residents wanting to keep cool by swimming are urged to visit one of the many county pools.