RedactedNarrative: On April 03, 2021 at 1755 hours; Maryland Natural Resources Police, responded to the Potomac River in the area of the River Bottom Park; Williamsport, Maryland 21795 for a Water Rescue.  When I arrived on scene at River Bottom Park, I made contact with PASSENGER 1.  PASSENGER 1 advised her husband was on a sailboat, fell out and then both the vessel and her husband went over the dam, commonly known as the (Hot Wall).  PASSENGER 1 also advised, she lost sight of her husband after he went over the dam. 
  
      I returned to my patrol truck and drove along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal downstream to the Potomac Edison Power Plant and Hot Wall area.  When I arrived on scene, Washington County Maryland Fire and Rescue crews advised they were still attempting to locate the victim and said he was last seen downstream closer to the Interstate 81 bridge.  After searching for the victim downstream in the area of the Interstate 81 bridge, fire and rescue crews were able to locate the subject approximately two-hundred (200) yards downstream of the dam (Hot Wall).
  
      I made contact with the fire and rescue crew on the Maryland shore of the Potomac River where the victim was being treated for hypothermia and awaiting transportation to Meritus Medical Center.  I made contact with three (3) witnesses and individuals who assisted with the rescue.  All three (3) witnesses advised that while they were fishing the Potomac River, they heard a whistle being blown and were able to locate a sailboat approaching the dam (Hot Wall) and an individual in a life jacket clinging to it.  They further advised, the vessel and individual went over the dam.  They were able help guide him to the shoreline and called 911.  Fire and Rescue crews secured the vessel at the Hot Wall and the victim was transported to the hospital.
  
      I identified the victim as OPERATOR 1:.  I asked OPERATOR 1 to explain the events that lead to him entering the water.  OPERATOR 1 stated he launched his homemade sailboat at the River Bottom Park Boat Ramp for the Potomac River and began sailing upstream.  As he approached the Route 11 bridge, he made a U-turn.  OPERATOR 1 stated during the U-turn, the vessel began to tip to one side, to prevent the vessel from capsizing he shifted his weight to the opposite side of the vessel and the vessel leveled out.  OPERATOR 1 additionally stated, when the vessel leveled out, he lost his grip and fell out of the boat into the water and was unable to return safely to the vessel and both the vessel and he went over the dam before being able to make it to the shoreline.  OPERATOR 1 was wearing his life jacket at the time he fell overboard and entered the water.
  
      OPERATOR 1 is being treated at Meritus Medical Center for hypothermia and is expected to be released in the next few hours.  
  
      All events occurred in Washington County, Maryland.
  