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Woman rescued after falling 70 feet into Potomac

Posted at 10:42 PM, Oct 30, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-30 22:42:52-04

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — A woman has been rescued by the Montgomery County Swift Water Rescue Team and airlifted by helicopter after she fell off a cliff into the Potomac.

The woman fell about 70 to 75 feet from the Virginia side of the Potomac around noon on Sunday. A kayaker who saw her fall paddled over to her and was able to keep her head above water until first responders arrived. The water she fell into was about five feet deep, with rocks at the bottom.

The Montgomery County Swift Water Rescue Team was training nearby, and were able to quickly respond with medical help. They stabilized her and waited for assistance to arrive. A US Parks helicopter brought her up by hoisting her from Purple Horse Beach,.

Pete Piringer, a spokesman for Montgomery County fire and rescue, stated that the woman suffered a priority one trauma injury, and that she is in her 20s.