One person was dead and eight others hospitalized after their boat was swept over a dam near the town of New Market, Maryland.
Rescue personnel were dispatched Saturday evening, after receiving reports that nine people were in the water near the dam on Lake Linganore, according to Capt. Kevin Fox of Frederick County Fire Rescue. Nearby residents said they could hear screams coming from the area.
When first responders arrived, they could see people clinging to the dam.
“Multiple people were found in the water,” Lt. Jason Null, of the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, told CNN affiliate WHAG. “Some were found clinging to rocks, some were rescued by the helicopter.”
One person drowned. Three people were hoisted out of the water by a Maryland State Police helicopter, authorities said. Four more were plucked from a ledge by a fire-rescue boat. And one was pulled out by a swift-water rescue team.
Eight people were taken to a local hospital, but no information was available on their conditions.
Officials suspect that heavy rains caused water to flow rapidly over the dam, pushing the boat over.
The Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources is investigating the accident.