HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — A Maryland State Police helicopter plucked a man and woman from the Potomac River Sunday afternoon after a canoe they were riding in capsized just upstream from the U.S. 340 bridge, a Washington County 911 supervisor said.
Rescue crews were prepared to enter the river by boat to rescue the two, but it was believed a quick helicopter rescue was needed because the two individuals might have been suffering from hypothermia, the supervisor said.
The man and woman were lifted out of the water in a basket extending from the helicopter, the supervisor said. It is believed the individuals were not seriously hurt, the supervisor said.
Rescue crews were called to respond at 2:44 p.m. A train moving through the area was stopped while the rescue was taking place, the supervisor said.
Rescue crews from Potomac Valley Volunteer Fire Co. responded, along with units from Frederick County, Md., and Loudoun County, Va.