Man rescued after reportedly jumping into Potomac River at Jones Point Park

Published July 21, 2026 at 11:45AM

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge at sunset (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A man was rescued after reportedly jumping into the Potomac River at Jones Point Park near the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge on Monday night (July 20).

The incident occurred around 8:50 p.m., and the man was not injured and declined transport to the hospital. Alexandria Fire Department dispatches at the time suggested the man had been drinking and jumped into the water at the fishing pier to go swimming.

The man’s brother called 911 after his brother couldn’t get out of the water, according to dispatches. AFD received mutual aid from D.C. Fire and EMS and the Metropolitan Police Department to rescue the man.

“The adult male was rescued from the water with no apparent injuries,” an AFD spokesperson told ALXnow. “It has not been determined if the victim fell or jumped into the water. The victim was transferred to AFD units to be brought in for evaluation. The victim declined transport.”

About the Author

James Cullum

Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.