Male Fatality Stuck in Palm Tree

Media Release from Kern County Fire Department Public Information Officer
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. | On Thursday afternoon at 4:37 p.m., Kern County firefighters responded to the 800 block of Plaza St. for a report of a victim trapped in a palm tree. Upon arrival, 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 prior to the firefighters’ arrival. Despite expert positioning, Truck 41’s 100-foot ladder fell just 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.
Palm trees often develop what is known as a “skirt” of dried fronds, which grows larger over time. Resembling a beard, these dead fronds are sharp, and their accumulated weight can become hazardous. The entire skirt can loosen and fall down the trunk, posing a significant risk to anyone in or near the tree. Rescuing someone from this situation requires considerable expertise and many hours of training. Although this type of emergency is infrequent, it is high-risk. Kern County firefighters train for such scenarios by setting up rope rescue systems, anchoring over the top of the palm, and raising rescuers into the tree. These drills are conducted on palms without the added danger of falling dead fronds.
In this real-life emergency, firefighters faced an unpredictable and precarious environment as they worked to expose and free the trapped victim, who was hidden beneath the dead fronds. Using a combination of precision cutting with chainsaws and brute force, progress was made. As the sun set, natural light was replaced by LED spotlights. Due to the length and physical demands of the operation, a second rescuer was brought in to replace the first. After this considerable effort, the entire skirt was finally 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