ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) -- Rescue teams searched the Potomac River on Friday for a high school rowing coach who apparently fell into the water while backing up his boat to avoid a collision with another vessel.
Authorities identified the missing man as John S. Catilo, 20. They said he is an alumnus of T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria and a senior at the University of Virginia.
Teams launched a search for Catilo about 9 a.m. after he fell into the Potomac south of Reagan National Airport near the Daingerfield Island sailing marina, said Alexandria Fire Department spokeswoman Jane Malik.
Catilo had been working with several dozen high school students practicing in six separate rowing sculls.
``These are some dangerous waters,'' said Lt. Alfred Durham, with the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department's Harbor Patrol. He said the victim was not wearing a flotation device.
The water rescue was primarily conducted by boat, with a U.S. Park Police helicopter called in to assist by air. Authorities said they also were considering bringing in dogs capable of picking up human scent from the water.
The search included police and fire units from Alexandria, Washington and the U.S. Coast Guard.
At a news conference, authorities said they remained hopeful that Catilo would be found alive. Meantime, they said rowers were receiving grief counseling from school counselors.
Catilo has eight years experience as a rower, and volunteered to help students in the summer program.
