Body Recovered Of Missing Swimmer In Patuxent River
HOWARD COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) -- A search for a missing swimmer in the Patuxent River ended Tuesday afternoon when rescue crews recovered a body.
Officials said the man's body was recovered around 2:15 p.m. which ended an hours-long search.
Update (~215p 6/15) Howard Duckett watershed, Patuxent River, missing swimmer located & body RECOVERED, Recovery completed by @mcfrs SW710, @HCDFRS ROV (Remotely operated vehicle-underwater) & HCDFRS BT11 @MontgomeryCoMD Police 'Search Managers' on scene handling investigation https://t.co/JNfr2Y88Nx pic.twitter.com/QhJkEAnOjK
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) June 16, 2020
A water rescue began Tuesday morning after a man was seen swimming in the Howard Duckett watershed area. He reportedly went underwater and didn't resurface.
Howard County Fire & EMS, Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Services, Maryland DNR and state police crews responded to the area near end of Batson Road off Rt. 198 between the Tridelphia Reservoir and Rocky Gorge Reservoir to search for the missing swimmer.
The call came in around 11:20 a.m. after an adult man was in the water, went under and wasn't seen again, according to officials.
"Apparently he was swimming across the lake in an area at the end of Batson Road and went under and never resurfaced," Peter Piringer, of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, said.
Volunteer divers prepare to enter the water from @5thdistrictvfd (Clarksville, Station 5) https://t.co/NUBjLnyjKi pic.twitter.com/3FCpVtfKLS
— Howard Co Fire & EMS (@HCDFRS) June 16, 2020
The search team on boats used sonar, scanner and dive teams to search for the man. A state police helicopter was above the scene surveying.
Nearly an hour and a half later, the victim's body was found.
(Initial dispatch ~1120a) Search continues for missing swimmer (witnessed event) in Patuxent River at Howard Duckett watershed area using aerial surveillance with @MDSP helicopter (Trooper 3), @mcfrs side-scan sonar as well as boat, scanner & dive team resources, if needed pic.twitter.com/9V28D5Z5Xz
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) June 16, 2020
Alex Rodgers said he was fishing nearby.
"It's always disappointing," he said. "You never wish that on somebody, and you don't wanna hear about it."
Although signs strictly prohibit swimming in the area, local fire and rescue officials said since the start of summer, they've seen an uptick in water rescues.
They're warning people to always be vigilant when on the water.
"Never swim alone and take every precaution," Piringer said. "Don't let your guard down."
Officials have not yet identified the man. They said he was with someone at the time who was able to make that call for help.