Skip to main content

Search for fisherman in Potomac River becomes recovery effort

Rescuers searched for the body of a 67-year-old man who slipped from the rocks on the Virginia side of the Potomac River near the Chain Bridge. D.C. Fire and EMS spokesman Vito Maggiolo told WTOP a family member saw the man, who is considered a “moderately good” swimmer, fall at 7:40 a.m. Friday. After a 75-minute search that used fireboats, inflatables, and people and dogs searching the shoreline, the search turned into a recovery operation. Boats were monitoring the river downstream to find the man.

Chain Bridge was closed in both directions between Va. 123 and Canal Road for almost two hours. Multiple agencies assisted D.C. Fire and EMS, including the D.C. police, Arlington County Fire Department and the U.S. Park Police. WTOP’s Megan Cloherty and Fonda Mwangi contributed to this story. 

What should be in your emergency kit

Every home should have an emergency kit on hand for when storms and power outages occur. WTOP recommends you print it out this list ahead foul weather and power outages. Supplies to have on hand:
Read Next Story