McLean High School Crew Team Rescued from the Potomac

Members of the McLean High School crew team were rescued from the Potomac River by D.C. Harbor police Thursday afternoon during a practice  No students were injured.

McLean High School principal Deborah Jackson sent an e-mail note to parents yesterday afternoon about the incident. The rescue was covered  by two Washington TV stations. Below you will find Dr. Jackson's note and links to the TV coverage:

Hello Highlander Families and Staff,

By now, most of you have probably heard on the news that our crew team was involved in an incident on the Potomac River yesterday during their practice. Unfortunately, the news account wasn't very accurate. Please allow me to clarify what happened, which is quite different from the news report:

The team had been rowing down river near National Airport. As they turned to head back upstream, a head wind began to pick up and the water became choppy. The Men’s 1st 8 swamped and all 9 boys were still with the shell. The Harbor Patrol was contacted immediately for assistance. The kids were given life jackets and loaded into the launch with one of the coaches. Once everyone was in the launch, the coach started passing out thermal blankets and they headed for the shore. The Harbor Patrol picked up the team members in the other boat and they also proceeded to shore. All the kids were safely transported to shore. Fire and Rescue transported the students to Children's Hospital in Washington, DC, as is their protocol when someone has been exposed to wet and cold elements.   In summary:

• There were 18 students between two boats in the water (not 20 as reported by the media).

• Neither boat capsized as reported by the media. However, one boat did become swamped and took on some water due to winds and choppy waves. Also, it was explained to me that the design of the boats would keep them from capsizing.

• Two coaches and two launches were in the water at the time of the incident. There was a coach on each launch traveling along with the boats.

• None of the students swam to shore as reported by the media. All the students remained in their boats until they were picked up by the launch and patrol boat. As a standard safety procedure, kids are trained to remain in the boat.

• Kids were sitting in water that had entered the boats for approximately 3-5 minutes when the incident occurred and not 20 minutes as reported by the media.  No students were dumped in the water and no boats overturned as reported by the media.  The launch and patrol boat were there for pickup.

• Kids were transported to Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C. However, three of the students who were transported to the hospital, never entered the water.

As always, safety is our number one priority.  We are glad that everything turned out okay and all the students  and coaching staff are safe!

Here is the link to the Channel 9 coverage complete with video: http://tinyurl.com/4a7oh7f

Here is the link to the Channel 4 coverage complete with video: http://tinyurl.com/4uc38vs

If you have further information to share with the neighbors please let us know.