Rescuers Locate Kayaker, Potomac River Search Over (PHOTOS)

JUNE 15 UPDATE The search for a missing kayaker on the Potomac River is now over. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Spokesperson Pete Piringer reports the owner of the red kayak (see right), found in the Potomac River on June 13, has been located alive and well in Reston, VA.

According to a Twitter post by Piringer, the kayaker said he was oblivious to the fact that a search was underway for him and explained that he had successfully bailed out of his kayak in the rough waters on June 13 and swam to shore.

JUNE 14 UPDATE Search rescue managers with the Montgomery County Police Department are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the owner of a kayak found on the Potomac River south of Great Falls on June 13

At approximately 1:45 p.m., witnesses in the area of the Observation Deck at Great Falls near the Virginia shore reported seeing a white male in a red kayak with a white paddle. Police said it appeared that he may have needed assistance. According to police, he was wearing a red or dark colored helmet and a tan floatation vest. Some time later, police said a kayaker down river located a red kayak and white paddle. The kayak was floating upside down near the Anglers Inn boat ramp. The kayak is a red Kendo Kayak. The paddle is aluminum and white with the letters PRP/IWL stenciled on one end. Police have released photos of the kayak (see above and below) in order to try and identify the owner.

Police are attempting to determine if the operator of this kayak is missing or simply lost the kayak on the river. Anyone who may have been in the area of the Observation Deck on the afternoon of Friday, June 13 between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. and saw a kayaker in the water is asked to contact police. If anyone recognizes this kayak or knows the whereabouts of the owner, they are asked to contact the Montgomery County Police at 301.279.8000

ORIGINAL POST

Montgomery County’s swift water rescue team is searching the Potomac River this afternoon after a report was received of “kayaker(s) struggling.”

Fire and Rescue Spokesperson Pete Piringer said dozens of rescuers from Montgomery County and Fairfax County are involved in the search but so far they have only found a kayak and paddles.

According to Piringer, five boats have been launched in this rescue operation and a helicopter is flying over the area.

A command post has been set up at Old Anglers Inn.

The search was suspended on June 13 and June 14 and will resume again on June 15.

PHOTOS | Montgomery County Fire and Rescue

Search ops for missing kayaker in the Potomac River terminated as of 730p & @mcfrs crews plan to resume search 6/14 pic.twitter.com/eo5M1Igslf

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) June 14, 2014

 

MCFRS Swift water Rescue crews suspend search for missing boater tonite at 630p to be resumed in morning pic.twitter.com/cEwg2AyqHP — Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) June 13, 2014

 

U/D Potomac River – search continues & involves 5 boats, 1 helicopter, as well as ground searches for missing boater pic.twitter.com/2C6cI92V2j

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) June 13, 2014

 

More….US Park Eagle assists with water & land search – boat & paddle retrieved by searchers, person unaccounted for pic.twitter.com/taoN69kJMo — Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) June 13, 2014

 

Water Rescue – Potomac River – vicinity of Observation Area ‘O’ Deck Overlook Great Falls (Maryland side) – report of kayackers ‘struggling”

UPDATE – @mcfrs Potomac River search for missing boater TERMINATED TODAT – boat owner has been located alive & well in Reston, Va

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) June 15, 2014

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) June 13, 2014

UPDATE – @mcfrs Potomac River search for missing boater TERMINATED TODAT – boat owner has been located alive & well in Reston, Va

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) June 15, 2014

Person responsible for search efforts tells PD, he bailed out of boat & swam to shore, went home & oblivious to fact we were looking for him

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) June 15, 2014