The area has been reopened.
Washington County, Md. (KM) The cause of death of a man who fell from the Maryland Heights Overlook in Washington County last week has been ruled accidental. That’s according to the National Park Service.
Rangers from Harpers Ferry responded on Friday afternoon at around 2:30, October 20th, where they learned that Maximilian Von Arx, 18, of Rockford, Illinois was hiking with a friend and the friend’s family when he tried to jump from one rock ledge to a lower ledge. Von Arx lost his footing and fell.
Washington County Fire and EMS and Park Service Rangers pronounced Von Arx dead at the scene. Emergency crews recovered his body which was taken to the State Medical Examiner’s Office.
The Park Service says there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the victim’s death, and there are no immediate safety concerns.
All trails and routes at Maryland Heights have reopened. The area remains a popular hiking destination, according to the Park Service.
By Kevin McManus