Arborist Fatally Injured in Tree-Fall Accident

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Arborist Fatally Injured in West Hills Tree-Fall Accident

At approximately 10:15 a.m, a call to 911 reported what was initially described as a cardiac event in the West Portland area near the response boundary of Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) and Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R). Following standard protocol, BOEC dispatchers sent the two closest fire units-TVF&R Engine 60 and PF&R Engine 27-along with the nearest Multnomah County-assigned AMR ambulance.

AMR Medic 309 was first to arrive and determined the incident was not medical in nature but instead a traumatic injury caused by a falling tree. Given the steep, uneven terrain, Engine 60 notified responding units of the potential need for a rope rescue system. PF&R's officer, along with BOEC dispatchers, requested PF&R's Technical Rescue Team, which was dispatched immediately.

TVF&R Engine 60 arrived approximately four minutes ahead of PF&R Engine 27 and began working with AMR personnel. Once the victim was confirmed deceased, crews collaborated to develop a safe plan to reach and remove the victim from a location roughly 30 feet upslope on unstable ground.

PF&R's Technical Rescue Team cut a pathway through dense vegetation and small trees, selecting the gentlest slope available for extrication. Two rope systems were used: one to safely lower the stokes basket and another static line to support rescuers navigating the sandy, rocky terrain. The Multnomah County Medical Examiner responded and took custody of the victim.

Portland Fire & Rescue extends gratitude to our mutual aid partners at Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, as well as to the BOEC dispatchers, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office and Transit Police for traffic control support.

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