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Detectives Investigate Drowning in Potomac River

For Immediate Release: Friday, August 19, 2016

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division continue to investigate a drowning in the Potomac River that occurred on August 16.

On Tuesday, August 16, at approximately 6:10 p.m., 2nd District officers along with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel responded for the possible drowning of an adult male in the Potomac River near Great Falls.

Witnesses told investigators that the victim waded into the water when he slipped and was taken under the water by the strong current and undertow.  Officers were told that the victim did not know how to swim.

Montgomery County Police search and rescue officers along with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel immediately began a search and rescue operation but could not locate the victim that evening.  Search operations continued on August 17 but the victim was not located.

On August 18 at approximately 11:30 a.m., a kayaker called 9-1-1 reporting a body in the water.  MCP along with Montgomery County Fire Rescue responded to the Potomac River between Offutt island and the Maryland shoreline and located the victim.  The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The victim is being identified as Abdul Qadir, age 28, of the 6200 block of Fernwood Terrace in Riverdale.

RLG

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Release ID: 16-207
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases