Rescue crews searching for missing swimmer ‘presumed drowned’

POTOMAC, Md. – The search for a missing man last seen in the Potomac River south of Great Falls resumed early Thursday as a recovery mission.

“We hope we can find him to bring closure to the family,” said Captain Todd Dahlen with Montgomery County’s Swift Water Rescue team.

The missing man, who is in his 20’s, was last seen alive floating down the Potomac River about 2:15 p.m. Wednesday at Sandy Landing. He and a companion, who exited the river safely, were trying to swim across the river from Virginia to Maryland.

Montgomery County searchers spent the morning on the water but pulled out about lunchtime and intend to return to the river Friday, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.

The county police along with the U.S. Park Police and the National Park Service will continue to search for the man Thursday afternoon, the fire and rescue service says.

Signs posted along both banks of the Potomac River in multiple languages warn of the river’s dangers and inform people that entering the river without a boat of some sort is illegal.