(Updated at 11:25 p.m.) At least two people have been pulled from the water on an icy cold night after a car drove into the Potomac along the GW Parkway.
The crash was first reported around 9:30 p.m., near Columbia Island Marina and the Humpback Bridge. It was not immediately clear how the car ended up in the water.
Initial reports suggest that one person was quickly able to get out of the water, possibly with the assistance of U.S. Park Police. They were taken to a local hospital via ambulance.
Another person was reported to be trapped and was taken to a hospital in critical condition after a rescue operation and CPR being performed on shore. NBC 4 reported tonight that that person has died.
Arlington County firefighters and D.C. fireboats assisted with the rescue operation alongside Park Police. Rescuers also searched the water for a possible third victim, according to scanner traffic.
“The two occupants were located and removed from the vehicle in the water,” ACFD said via social media. “Both were transported to area hospitals, one with life-threatening injuries.”
The northbound lanes of the Parkway are expected to remain closed until after midnight, according to Arlington Alert, likely as a result of the crash investigation. As of publication fire department personnel were in the process of clearing from the scene.
#FinalUpdate: The two occupants were located and removed from the vehicle in the water. Both were transported to area hospitals, one with life-threatening injuries.
— Arlington Fire & EMS (@ArlingtonVaFD) November 18, 2022
LOCATION: NB George Washington Parkway (GW Pkwy) at I-395
INCIDENT: Police Department Activity
IMPACT: All NB lanes of GW Pkwy is blocked at I-395/14th St Bridge. Pedestrian traffic is closed in the area. Road closures may continue for 2-3 hours. Seek alt pic.twitter.com/zNpAe0W9Ar— Arlington Alert (@ArlingtonAlert) November 18, 2022
DC Fireboats on scene assisting @ArlingtonVaFD with vehicle in water GW Parkway vicinity of the Humpback Bridge. This is an @ArlingtonVaFD incident and media inquiries should be directed to them.
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) November 18, 2022
Traffic Alert: Crash investigation northbound George Washington Memorial Parkway in area of Columbia Island. Northbound traffic diverted to 395. Ramp to GWMP from 395 also closed.
— USPPNEWS (@usparkpolicepio) November 18, 2022
VA: #Arlington George Washington Pkwy NB at I-395/14th Street Bridge all traffic stopped for the incident, ALL NB TRAFFIC DIVERTED ONTO NB I-395. #vatraffic https://t.co/ribJyV7Rgl pic.twitter.com/58JV8xjasr
— WTOP Traffic (@WTOPtraffic) November 18, 2022
Eagle is assisting with the search for a person reported submerged in an auto into the Potomac River. @HCBright10 @ARLnowDOTcom @HelicoptersofDC https://t.co/mwCm38K7jP pic.twitter.com/frXBiQbH3f
— Alan Henney (@alanhenney) November 18, 2022