A tree-trimmer lost his life while working near high-voltage wires in Beverlywood, West Los Angeles, according to a report from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). The tragic incident unfolded on the 9000 block of W Kirkside Road and was first treated as a rescue operation; however, it soon turned into a recovery effort when the man was pronounced dead at the scene around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, as reported by CBS News Los Angeles. The LAFD related that the man, identified as a 48-year-old, was found suspended about 30 feet off the ground, mere six to eight feet beneath high-voltage wires, and despite the power being shut down, the exact cause of death remained unclear.
Following the incident, aerial footage captured by local news highlighted the proximity of the high-voltage wires to a large cluster of trees where the man was working before his untimely death, the power company responded to the incident and shut down electricity in the area to facilitate the recovery process which included the man still being in the tree and it was quite a technical challenge for the rescue team. The additional information was limited, according to the initial news piece from CBS News Los Angeles.
Furthermore, the LAFD's official statement detailed that "Following power shutdown in the area by LADWP, patient (48M) was assessed and declared deceased by paramedics on scene," emphasizing the efforts made by the firefighters and paramedics. The department's companies worked in unison to carry out a recovery operation that was meticulously coordinated. No further updates are expected, stated the LAFD.
The LAFD's response encompassed multiple units including Battalion Chiefs, Emergency Medical Services, and Urban Search and Rescue teams, as announced on their website detailing the scope of the effort and the resources that were employed to address the situation, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) was also involved in managing the power lines ensuring the safety of the responders as they attempted their recovery. Council District 5, along with several firefighting and rescue units, was mentioned in the LAFD's bulletin as key participants in the operation.
