This week’s deaths raised to eight the number of deaths in the Potomac River Gorge since the start of 2009. That’s after no one died in the gorge between 2004 and 2008.
So local agencies — including the National Park Service, the U.S. Park Police and Montgomery and Fairfax counties — have joined with private organizations to raise awareness of the river’s myriad dangers.
“If you go into the Potomac River to swim or cool off, your chances of coming out alive are very, very small,” said Kevin Brandt, superintendent of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
The river’s most recent victims are believed to be a mother and daughter last seen wading in ankle deep water on Memorial Day. Police say they’ve located two bodies, although a medical examiner has not yet announced positive identifications.
