MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Ten people are recovering following a swift water rescue from the Potomac River.
According to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, they received calls around 2:30 Sunday afternoon for people stranded on the rocks in the area of Seneca Beach Island.
As units with Loudoun and Fairfax counties were responding to the first call, a second 911 call came in, reporting someone was in the water near Block House Point.
The U.S. Park Police helicopter and Maryland State Trooper Three Helicopter were deployed to help search for those stranded.
During the search, officials learned that three people were stranded on a rock near the George Washington Canal, while others were stranded on the island not far from the rocks.
But there were a couple of people in the water near Blockhouse Point. Rescue crews found the people in the water and transported them to safety.
In total crews rescued 10 people using different methods. The ones in the water were rescued by boat. The ones on the rocks were placed on a boat then taken to the nearest shoreline. Those trapped on the island had to be airlifted via basket and then transported to land.
Once everyone was on land, first responders checked them out and no injuries were reported. No one was taken to a hospital.
According to reports, the entire rescue mission was completed in an hour.
