Man trapped under boulder for 2 hours identified

WASHINGTON — A Silver Spring, Maryland, man died Sunday afternoon when rocks — including one large boulder — gave way on a trail along the Potomac River.

Rian Avarham Khalder, 25, ended up trapped for more than two hours under a boulder, officials say.

Khalder had been hiking with his 14-year-old brother and had been rock climbing on an island near the Angler Inn boat ramp when the rocks gave way and he fell, Montgomery County police say.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue responded at 4:38 p.m. Sunday, reaching the island by boat, but rescuers weren’t able to move the boulder due to severe thunderstorms.

Pete Piringer, spokesman for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, says firefighters brought heavy equipment, including portable airbags to free Khalder, but they weren’t able to use any of it because of the storms.

The medical examiner in Baltimore will confirm the cause of death, but police say there is no indication of foul play.

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