Rescue crews respond to challenging section of trail as U.S. Park Police investigate fatal incident.
(photos courtesy NPS-C&O Canal NHP)
Montgomery County, MD (JK) – A hiker from West Virginia died Monday after falling on the Billy Goat Trail near Great Falls in Montgomery County, Maryland. U.S. Park Police identified the victim as 53-year-old Todd Kenneth Funkhouser, who worked in Virginia.
Officials say witnesses saw Funkhouser attempt to leap between rocks along a particularly difficult section of the trail known as “the traverse.” Emergency crews responded by land and water, with boat crews, medics, and a Park Police helicopter assisting in the rescue. Despite their efforts, Funkhouser was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Billy Goat A Trail, part of the C&O Canal National Historical Park, is known for its steep and rocky terrain, making it one of the region’s most strenuous hiking routes. U.S. Park Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fall.
Park officials remind hikers to carry a charged phone, be aware of trail conditions, and start early to avoid emergencies in difficult sections.
By Jimmy Key