The Stafford Sheriff’s Office reports that Emilio Francisco Velasco Cedillo, age 21, of Manassas, Virginia drowned this evening in the Rappahannock River.

The incident was initially reported at approximately 6:15 p.m., via a direct radio communication from a Parks and Recreation staff member at Historic Port of Falmouth to the Stafford County Emergency Communications Center.

Stafford’s Sheriff’s Office and Stafford Fire and Rescue responded to the scene.

Stafford Fire & Rescue reports that rescue swimmers were deployed as early as 6:20 p.m. to begin the search where the man was last seen as he was crossing the river, approximately 15 feet from shore.

Fredericksburg Fire units were requested to respond to Old Mill Park and they deployed a diver who was able to locate the submerged victim.

The body was retrieved from the river and immediately transported to Mary Washington Hospital where both Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support patient care was given. Valasco Cedillo was pronounced dead at the Hospital.

It appears that the Manassas man had been with several friends while in the river. He initially entered the river at the Historic Port of Falmouth. Witnesses state that he had successfully crossed the river to Old Mill Park. Later he attempted to cross back at another point in the river when he reportedly became submerged.