A late Saturday night emergency on the Anacostia River near the Navy Yard waterfront ended in tragedy, officials say. A man was pulled from the water and rushed to a hospital in critical condition, where he later died. The rescue brought out fireboats, shoreline crews and divers working under bright floodlights as onlookers watched from the busy Navy Yard promenade. Police and fire investigators say they are still trying to figure out how the man wound up in the river.
Rescue unfolded at Navy Yard waterfront
D.C. Fire and EMS crews responded shortly before 11 p.m. after reports of a person missing in the water near the boat-club docks. Fireboats and shoreline crews moved into the area while divers searched the dark river under powerful lighting. Just after 11:20 p.m., D.C. Fire and EMS announced that divers had found the man and pulled him from the water; medics took him to a hospital in critical condition, according to Daily Voice.
What officials told reporters
D.C. Fire and EMS were called around 10:36 p.m. to the river near the 1400 block of Water Street SE, close to the Eastern Power Boat Club, the radio outlet WTOP reported. Divers from D.C. police and fire units recovered the man, and investigators told reporters they believe he fell from a boat; no foul play is suspected.
Why the Anacostia matters
This is the latest fatal water incident on the Anacostia after a child was pulled from the river in mid-April and later died, underscoring ongoing safety concerns near the city's waterways, as reported in a story on boy dies after river rescue. River advocates and officials continue to debate water-quality monitoring and safety measures for popular stretches of the Anacostia.
Investigation ongoing
Crews worked alongside Metropolitan Police harbor units during the operation, and officials have released few additional details about the victim or what led to the incident, according to Daily Voice. The investigation remains ongoing.
