Dead Tree Trimmer Recovered From Palm Tree in Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif., Oct. 20 (KNN) — The Kern County Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue Team recovered the body of a tree trimmer from under multiple layers of a palm tree’s dried fronds in Bakersfield.

The Kern County Fire Department responded to a reported trapped tree trimmer in the 800 block of Plaza Street at 4:37 p.m. Thursday.

According to the KCFD, Truck 41 found a tree trimmer pinned under palm fronds approximately 30 feet up in a tall palm tree. The victim had been unresponsive for approximately 30 minutes before the firefighters’ arrival. Despite expert positioning, Truck 41’s 100-foot ladder fell short of reaching the tree. The only viable option was to send a rescuer up into the tree. Due to the technical nature of palm tree rescues, the Kern County Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR-47) was requested.

The trained rescuer, hanging by ropes from the palm tree, worked to expose the trapped victim hidden beneath the dead fronds. Due to the length and physical demands of the operation and loss of natural light, LED spotlights were brought to the scene, and a second rescuer responded to replace the first one at the scene.

Ultimately, the entire skirt of fronds was cut loose, and the victim was freed.

“While still suspended in the air, the rescuer quickly assessed the patient for signs of life. Tragically, the victim was deceased. The victim was secured in the rope system, and both the rescuer and the deceased were lowered to the ground. No injuries to firefighters were reported. The scene was left in the care of the Kern County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office,” stated the KCFD in their incident report.

Brandon Barraza, Video Journalist / KNN