Crime & Safety

Rescue Officials Warn of Deadly Potomac River Currents

Stay out of the water at Great Falls Park, rescue officials warn. The river's currents can be deadly.

The warm weather hasn't been around for too long yet, but the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service already is rescuing people from the Potomac River.

The river along the Great Falls Park trails may look inviting for a swim, but it should be avoided, due to its strong currents, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Battalion Chief Maurice Witt said in a rescue service video filmed last week

The day before the video was filmed, Witt said, "four people decided to go for a swim, and things did not go well for them. Luckily, we were already on the river doing some training, and one individual who was submerged was luckily saved by a boat that already happened to be in the area."

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Witt stressed the importance of staying out of the water and being careful when on the rocks (overlooking the water) in Great Falls Park.

If you're heading out on the Great Falls trails, "come prepared," he said. "Bring water, make sure you're physically fit enough [for the trails]. And, if you get into trouble, make sure you call 911 ... and give us as much information as possible."

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Every year, the rescue service gets many calls from or about people in trouble in the park—both in the trails and in the water.

Of course, if you're already in the water, it's tough to make that 911 call yourself.

"More than half of all river-related injuries in this 14-mile section [of the Potomac River] from Washington, DC, to Great Falls Park end in death," a park ranger said on the Montgomery County Cable channel. (See this clip on YouTube to hear more.)


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