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County conducts rescue at Great Falls for missing swimmer; Whites Ferry negotiations ‘more optimistic,’ officials say
Summary
Montgomery County officials said a rescue search was underway for a 16-year-old who entered the Potomac River at Great Falls; officials said the operation would be treated as a rescue for the first 12 hours and move to recovery afterward. The county also said negotiations over Whites Ferry are progressing but require more actions by Virginia.
Montgomery County officials said they were conducting an active rescue operation after a 16-year-old swimmer entered the Potomac River at Great Falls.
Dr. Earl Stoddard, the county’s assistant chief administrative officer, said search-and-rescue teams were operating under the county’s rescue protocol and that the first 12 hours after the incident are treated as a rescue operation. "We typically will operate for about the first 12 hours as a rescue operation… it was about 6:00 a.m. this morning. So… at about six o'clock this evening, it would move to a recovery operation," Stoddard said. He reiterated that swimming at Great Falls is strictly prohibited because of swift water and dangerous rocks.
Separately during the briefing, county leaders addressed the future of Whites Ferry, which has been closed in recent months. The county said negotiations continue and that recent changes in Virginia leadership have increased optimism that a workable solution can be reached, but that the state of Virginia must take additional steps to finalize an arrangement.
What happens next: County officials said they would continue search operations until protocols shift to recovery and that they will provide updates as they are available. For operational or safety guidance related to Great Falls and other county services, officials directed the public to county channels for verified information.
