Officials issue warning after person rescued from Potomac River: 'Swimming is prohibited'

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. - It’s not even Memorial Day, but already, rescue crews have been busy along the Potomac River.

"The last week or so we’ve seen a significant increase in the amount of river rescue calls that we have run in the county," said Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Capt. Joe Bell.

First responders were called out Tuesday for a swimmer in distress near Great Falls. They said a kayaker ultimately helped the swimmer to safety.

Meanwhile, last Thursday night two kayakers needed help, and crews from both Montgomery and Fairfax Counties were called in.

Sadly, rescuers have seen the worst-case scenario as well. Last September a kayaker was trapped under a rock and killed.

"It is very appealing, and it’s beautiful when you go out there, and it looks very tranquil in spots," Bell explained, "but once again, the currents and the rocks and just the flows, it makes it very dangerous."

That’s why – ahead of another busy summer – Bell stressed that swimming in the Potomac, between Great Falls and the D.C. line, is not only dangerous but also against the law.

"It is not safe to swim in the water," he added. "there are other places to swim besides the Potomac River."