Photo by BrianMKA.
This post has been updated to reflect that 17 passengers ended up in the Potomac, and with comment from D.C. Fire and EMS.
At least one small boat overturned this afternoon, and approximately 17 people ended up in the Potomac. They are now back on land after a rescue mission headed up by D.C. Police Harbor Patrol and aided by D.C. Fire and EMS.
.@dcfireems Special Ops & @DCPoliceDept Harbor Patrol conducting rescue of overturned boat w/several passengers. https://t.co/du9Bg4I2sF
— Public Safety in DC (@SafeDC) March 28, 2016
The incident occurred underneath the 14th Street Bridge in the Potomac River, according to a spokesperson for the National Park Police.
There are no reported injuries, according to D.C. Police spokesperson Aquita Brown. All of the passengers are being treated now as a precautionary measure, she says. The boat itself was a private row boat, according to Brown.
“All of the passengers are accounted for,” says Tim Wilson, spokesperson for D.C. Fire and EMS. They’ve all been evaluated and none of them will be transported to an area hospital.
Wilson says the boat in question was at least one kayak.
Police are currently investigating why the boat overturned.
Wilson, who spoke from the Tidal Basin, says that “it’s pretty windy down here. The river is pretty choppy as well. It’s not the ideal conditions for kayaking, so that may have contributed to it.”
Rachel Kurzius