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Woman dies after hiking in extreme heat at C&O National Park

billy goat trail.jpg
Posted at 7:30 PM, Jul 21, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-22 08:56:26-04

GREAT FALLS, Md. — A woman has died after suffering a heat-related medical emergency while hiking at C&O National Park on Saturday.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue crews were called to Billy Goat Trail along the Potomac River near Great Falls after several people on the trail found the woman and tried to help her.

A U.S. Parks helicopter responded and hoisted the woman from the rough terrain and transported her to an area hospital, where she died Sunday.

Ten other people on the trail at the time were also evaluated for heat related illness. Out of those, two were transported to a hospital with non-life threatening effects.

Fire officials say the heat index reached 110 degrees Saturday, prompting sections of Billy Goat Trail to close for excessive heat.