palm tree stikes back - General Tiki

MN Mr. NoNaMe Member Joined: May 10, 2006 Posts: 1919	MN Mr. NoNaMe Posted posted on Tue, Oct 31, 2006 10:15 AM Be careful while trimming your palms. Apparently this happens somtimes. UNION-TRIBUNE October 31, 2006 SPRING VALLEY – A tree trimmer died yesterday, apparently suffocated by heavy fronds while suspended near the top of an 80-foot fan palm. The man was identified by the Medical Examiner's Office as Rury Valdez, 45, of San Diego, a tree trimmer with at least 15 years of experience. Valdez, some cousins and an uncle worked on three tall, slender palms at a house on Central Avenue near Lamar Street yesterday in Spring Valley. Atop the last tree, Valdez started cutting the fronds, which drooped and covered him completely, said San Miguel Division Chief Patrick Sumrow. Sumrow said about 15 minutes passed before the co-workers called 911 at 3:29 p.m. Fire crews on a ladder truck had to cut phone lines before extending their ladder to the tree top. Firefighters found that Valdez, hanging upright from a harness, was not breathing. Firefighters used a chain saw to remove the fronds, then lowered Valdez in a basket on a La Mesa Fire Department aerial truck. Efforts to revive Valdez failed and he was declared dead about 4:50 p.m.

Be careful while trimming your palms. Apparently this happens somtimes.
UNION-TRIBUNE
October 31, 2006

SPRING VALLEY – A tree trimmer died yesterday, apparently suffocated by heavy fronds while suspended near the top of an 80-foot fan palm.

The man was identified by the Medical Examiner's Office as Rury Valdez, 45, of San Diego, a tree trimmer with at least 15 years of experience.
Valdez, some cousins and an uncle worked on three tall, slender palms at a house on Central Avenue near Lamar Street yesterday in Spring Valley. Atop the last tree, Valdez started cutting the fronds, which drooped and covered him completely, said San Miguel Division Chief Patrick Sumrow.

Sumrow said about 15 minutes passed before the co-workers called 911 at 3:29 p.m. Fire crews on a ladder truck had to cut phone lines before extending their ladder to the tree top. Firefighters found that Valdez, hanging upright from a harness, was not breathing.

Firefighters used a chain saw to remove the fronds, then lowered Valdez in a basket on a La Mesa Fire Department aerial truck. Efforts to revive Valdez failed and he was declared dead about 4:50 p.m.