Front Royal father and son perish in Potomac River drowning

A Front Royal, Va. man and his son drowned Monday afternoon in the Potomac River at Swan Point in Charles County, Md., according to the Maryland Natural Resources Police Department.

According to Maryland Natural Resources Police Captain Chris Morris, around 4:55 p.m. on Monday, August 1, officers were dispatched to the Swan Point area of the Potomac River in Charles County for a report of missing swimmers.

Elias Isai Sandoval Pimentel, 43, of Front Royal VA, his wife, and three children had anchored their 23’ bowrider on the Potomac River. Two of the children (ages 10 and 12) were swimming when both children began to struggle in the water. Police say Mr. Pimentel entered the water to help both children. Pimentel and his 10-year-old son disappeared in the water and did not resurface. Captain Morris wrote in the release that the 12-year-old child was recovered from the water and transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Maryland Natural Resources did not identify the minor child in the release, though family members posted information on social media stating that Mr. Pimentel and his son, Samuel Pimentel Spain, 10, perished by drowning on Monday.

Photo from Facebook

Morris said that Samuel’s body was recovered by the Charles County Dive Team at 10:44 p.m. Monday evening, with search efforts continuing throughout the night. Mr. Pimentel’s body was found at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 2.

Natural Resources Police, United States Coast Guard, Cobb Island Volunteer Fire/EMS, Charles County Dive and Rescue, Newburg Volunteer Fire, Bel Alton Volunteer Fire and EMS, Hughesville Volunteer EMS, Charles County Department of Emergency Services, Seventh District Fire Company, Calvert County Dive Team, and the Naval District Washington Fire/EMS, assisted with the search of the area.