Bicyclist Killed By Falling Tree (NPS Digest)

Bicyclist Killed By Falling Tree (NPS Digest)
CHESAPEAKE & OHIO CANAL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
Bicyclist Killed By Falling Tree
On July 3rd, park visitor Neil Reich from Forest Hills, New York, was riding his bike on a multi-day trip on the canal tow path from Harpers Ferry to Washington D.C. An afternoon storm hit the area with strong winds causing numerous trees to shear and fall in that section of the park. While he was biking through the event near Mile Post 33, a tree fell and struck him in his head area. Emergency services workers needed to cut trees that were blocking the tow path to reach him. A passing visitor had started CPR on him, but he was pronounced dead upon the arrival of the emergency squad. Ranger Brad Sones investigated the incident.

Bill's Note: My daughter was at Harper's Ferry around that time period, and said the weather was brutal. We also had high winds earlier this week that caused some issues, but no fatalities. The incident also points out the value of having some basic tools in the cruiser. While a chain saw might be a little much, plus you don't want pre-mix 2 stroke fuel in your trunk, particularly in a Crown Vic, bow saws are dirt cheap and might be all that's needed. A tow strap hooked to the frame, not the bumper, could pull reasonably-sized, downed timber out of the way. OSP still carries axes, mainly for entrapments, but I've gone on record as saying that if I ever saw a trooper headed towards me in a crashed car with an ax, I'd shoot myself. I don't think they cover axemanship in the Academy, certainly not directional felling.