25-Year-Old Hiker Killed by Boulder on Potomac River

Police said man killed while rock climbing on an island in the river

September 2, 2014 8:39 a.m.

A 25-year-old man was killed while hiking along the Potomac River on Sunday afternoon and police believe he may have died in a rock climbing incident.

Police said the man, who was identified as Rian Avarham Khalder, of Silver Spring, was with his 14-year-old brother on Hermit island in the river near the Old Angler's Inn boat ramp and was climbing up a portion of rocks when they gave way around 4:30 p.m. One boulder fell on him and killed him, police said.

Resuce crews reached the island by boat, but were delayed by storms and when they arrived around 7 p.m., Khalder was pronounced dead, according to fire department spokesman Pete Piringer.

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Police are continuing to investigate the death, but said there is no indication of foul play at this point.

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