Good Samaritans rescue Nationals fans from sinking boat

WASHINGTON - Authorities have confirmed that several boaters heading home from the Washington Nationals playoff game were rescued from their sinking vessel on the Potomac River by Good Samaritans.

According to the Coast Guard and D.C. police's Harbor Patrol, the incident happened at around 2 a.m. Friday off of Founders Park in Old Town Alexandria north of the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge.

Police said two fishermen were on the Potomac River when they heard what sounded like a collision. They boated over to where they heard the commotion and found a 25-foot long open console boat taking on water with five people on board.

After contacting the Coast Guard, the fishermen would help the stranded Nationals fans onto their boat and transported them about a quarter mile down river to the end of King Street to the Old Dominion Boat Club.

After receiving a call at around 2:30 a.m. from the Coast Guard, D.C. police's Harbor Patrol located the badly damaged boat that had capsized. It is believed that the boat struck a buoy out in the middle of the river.

The boat was towed to Harbor Patrol's marina to be examined.

"The operators of the boat were lucky there were two fishermen in the river at that time of night," said D.C. Police Lt. Ronald Wilkins. "Now that summer is over, the river is actually getting a lot less crowded, so less and less people to help you out when you get in trouble."

No injuries were reported and no charges have been filed.

"At this point, we are not looking at any alcohol involvement," said Wilkins. "The officers never were actually able to speak to the operator last night. It was only this morning when he was contacted and we were able to speak to him."

The boat was temporarily impounded, but has been officially released to the owner.