A professional tree trimmer has died in a horrific industrial accident in Los Angeles after falling 35 feet onto a spiked iron fence.
Tragic Fall During Routine Work
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon in the Canoga Park area, approximately 27 miles from downtown Los Angeles. The victim, identified by his family as 48-year-old Rogelio Cruz, was suspended in a palm tree when his rope detached around 3:30 pm.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), Cruz plummeted onto a 10-foot-high iron fence. The force of the fall and the nature of his injuries were so severe that he was declared beyond medical help at the scene.
Recovery Operation and Family Grief
LAFD confirmed that an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team was deployed to conduct a high-angle rope recovery of the body. A statement noted that the scene was shielded with a tarp to preserve the dignity of the deceased. The Mayor's Crisis Response Team was also dispatched to provide emotional support to Cruz's co-workers and family.
Cruz, who had recently celebrated his birthday, was a seasoned professional with two decades of experience in tree trimming. He was working for a family-owned company alongside his brothers when the tragedy struck.
His cousin, Richard Areloa, described the day as a devastating break from routine. "Everyday routine, goes up, does the job, cuts it down, comes back down, goes home, and it just wasn't like that today," Areloa told NBC Los Angeles. "I don't know how one can process what happened."
Cruz's niece, Janeth Cruz, remembered him as a generous man. "He was always so giving. No matter if he knew you or not, he would just lend it. Always the first person to be like, 'I'm here. What can I do?'" she said.
Ongoing Investigation and Street Closure
Valerio Street remained closed as authorities worked carefully to retrieve the body. LAFD Captain Erik Scott explained that the specialist team was focused on lifting the individual "in a dignified manner." The LA County Coroner's office was notified and will assume responsibility for the investigation into the precise cause of death.
This fatal incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in arboriculture and construction work. It follows other recent impalement accidents, including an American tourist in Rome who required emergency surgery after a similar, though non-fatal, incident at the Colosseum earlier this year.
