Las Vegas Fire Department rescues man trapped in palm tree
A man was rescued from a palm tree Thursday by the Las Vegas Fire Department.
The man was rescued just before noon at 14 Crescent Circle, near the intersection of West Oakey Boulevard and Rancho Drive, the department said.
The man works for a company that trims palm trees, he was doing his normal job trimming the tree when several palm tree fronds, weighing around 500 pounds, fell onto his chest, Deputy Fire Chief Eddy Vigil said. He was held onto the tree by a harness and when the fronds fell down on his chest, he became trapped.
The man had trouble breathing and was close to unconsciousness, Vigil said. He was trapped for about 15 minutes before he was rescued.
Vigil said the crews saved his life today.
Once the man got down he was conscious but a little dizzy and had no injuries, Vigil said.
“He is doing great,” Vigil said.
The department rescues people stuck in palm trees several times a year Vigil said, there are a lot of palm trees in the valley and they become very dangerous to trim after they grow so long.
Review-Journal writer Christian Bertolaccini contributed to this report. Contact Jessica Terrones at jterrones@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Find @JessATerrones on Twitter. Contact Christian Bertolacciniat cbertolaccini@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Find @bertolaccinic on Twitter.
