Trapped Palm Tree Trimmer Rescued 40-Feet Up

LOS ANGELES, CA — Los Angeles firefighters rescued a man trapped at the top of a palm tree 40-feet high in Koreatown Wednesday morning.

The tree trimmer was alert and speaking, but extremely fatigued after clinging for his life, according to a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Firefighters were called to the scene in the 200 block of South Alexandria Avenue shortly aftet 10 a.m. By 10:47, crews had the man freed.

"In a closely coordinated operation, two truck companies employed their aerial ladders to secure the patient from both below and above. They ensured he was doubly secured with safety harnesses, cleared any fronds from around him and then transferred his weight to the upper ladder," said LAFD spokeswoman Margaret Stewart. "He was then safely lowered to the ground via the aerial ladder and transferred to the awaiting ambulance."

Stewart said such rescues are not uncommon in Los Angeles. Over the years, several tree trimmers have died when trapped under heavy palm fronds high above the ground.

In upcoming months, Southlanders will see crews removing thousands of palm trees in the region deemed a fire threat by Southern California Edison.

SEE ALSO:

• 11K SoCal Palm Trees Deemed Fire Hazards To Be Torn Down
• Palm Tree Trimming Deaths Can Be Prevented
• Tree Trimmer Killed In Accident Remembered As Loving Father
• Tree Trimmer Dies in Tree After Palm Fronds Collapse Around Him