September 18th, 2015 by WCBC Radio

On 09/18/2015 at 1707 hours, deputies with the Allegany County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the area of the Keyser Bridge on Route 220 in McCoole for a reported water rescue. Allegany County 911 advised they had received a report of a 13 year old female who had jumped from the bridge into the Potomac River. Allegany County 911 further advised that the caller stated the female went under water and never surfaced. Upon arrival deputies coordinated search and rescue operations with the Potomac Volunteer Fire Department (Westernport) and Tri Towns EMS (Westernport). After surveying the scene from the elevated position of the bridge the victim was not located. Maryland State Police Trooper 5 was then requested to assist with an aerial search of the Potomac River. Law enforcement along with fire and EMS conducted a thorough search of the Potomac River and shore line in Maryland and West Virginia via ground, boat, and air however no victim was located. During the search and rescue operations law enforcement from the Allegany County Sheriff's Office, Mineral County Sheriff's Office. Potomac State University Police Department and Keyser City Police Department attempted to locate the caller and obtain additional information about the victim however the caller was never located. Law enforcement officials on scene obtained the name of the victim that was provided by the caller and an extensive search of records was conducted in an attempt to locate an address for the reported victim however that search yielded no information. After approximately one (1) hour search and rescue operations were suspended by fire department personnel. 

 

The incident was then turned over to law enforcement to be investigated as a prank call. The investigation into the incident in continuing. 

 

The Allegany County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the following: 

 

Potomac Volunteer Fire Department Company 22

LaVale Volunteer Fire Department Company 2

Cresaptown Volunteer Fire Department Company 9

Bowling Green Volunteer Fire Department Company 8 (Water Rescue Team and Boat 8)

Allegany County Special Operations Rope Rescue Company 48

Allegany County Water Rescue Operations  Company 48

Keyser Volunteer Fire Department Company 33

Tri Towns EMS Company 50

Keyser EMS Company 57

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police

Mineral County Sheriff's Office

Keyser City Police Department

Potomac State University Police Department

Maryland State Police Aviation Command Trooper 5