A drowning occurred in the Rappahannock River on Tuesday morning.
Chief Michael Jones tells hyperbole that water rescue units from Fredericksburg and Stafford County were dispatched to the 400 block of Riverside Drive at approximately 9:40 AM on June 11th for a report of a person floating in the water.
Jones says that an individual was located face down in the water when first responders removed them and performed life saving measures. They were unsuccessful, and that individual passed away after being transported to a local hospital. According to Jones, that person was reported missing earlier that day.
That incident was one of several that the Fredericksburg and Stafford County units have responded to in the past week.
Fredericksburg Fire Department Chief Michael Jones says that on the afternoon of Monday, June 10th, units responded to the area near Ficklen Mill Island for several kayakers in distress. Four minors were located in the river, but due to its currents were unable to navigate their boats back to shore safely.
Swimmers from the water rescue team were able to retrieve three of the four kayakers, while the fourth was able to swim back themselves. All four were uninjured.
This incident occurred simultaneously as a separate water rescue further up river near Target Rock for a report of two individuals in need of assistance. Both persons were rescued uninjured and brought to shore in the area of the intersection of Charles Street and Riverside Drive, Jones says.
On June 7th at approximately 6:00 PM, a report was received of a possible drowning in progress near Old Mill Park. First responders were able to locate a single individual submerged below the water. That person was brought to shore and given CPR before being transported to a local hospital for treatment. Chief Jones did not have a status on their current condition.
If you’re thinking about a dip in the Rappahannock River, use caution.
“It has been a very busy stretch for our units on the Rappahannock River this past week. With all the rain since Sunday, the river is still up and running fast.”
Note: file photo.
