MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — First responders have recovered the body of a man who disappeared Tuesday while swimming in the Potomac River.
In a statement, Montgomery Fire and Rescue officials said the man's body was found below the water's surface around 11:3o a.m. Thursday.
Officials said the man's body was transferred to Montgomery County police, who will take it to the medical examiner's office.
Officials did not release the man's name, but said his family has been notified.
A rescue operation was initiated around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday after authorities received reports of two missing swimmers.
Both swimmers were initially reported 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.
MCFRS spokesperson Pete 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 crews from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, as well as the use of K9s, sonar technology and underwater drones.
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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.
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