GREAT FALLS, Va. - Search crews are looking for a swimmer who went missing in the Potomac River near Great Falls.
According to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer, a man did not resurface after he jumped into the water in an area near Rocky Island and Mather Gorge Tuesday at around 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The missing victim is described as a man in his 20s from Afghanistan who recently came to the United States. His friends said he did not know how to swim.
Search and rescue crews from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, the National Park Service and U.S. Park Police searched for the missing man by boat and helicopter, but Tuesday's search was suspended due to darkness about an hour and a half later.
Crews resumed and conducted a day-long search on Wednesday, but were still unable to find him. Search efforts will resume Thursday morning.
About an hour before the man disappeared in the water on Tuesday, a woman in her 20s was rescued nearby after she was swept downstream through Great Falls. A U.S. Park Police helicopter spotted the woman and she was retrieved by a passing kayaker.
Authorities said she suffered minor non-life-threatening injuries.
Due to the deep and powerful currents, swimming and wading in the water of the Potomac River is illegal.