A tree trimmer fell to his death while on the job in Canoga Park on Monday, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The tragedy was reported just before 3:30 p.m. along Canoga Avenue and Valerio Street. There, the man was impaled when he fell while working on large trees and landed atop an iron fence.
LAFD said the man fell 35 feet and landed on the 10-foot fence. He died of his injuries at the scene.
The family of the man identified him as Rogelio Cruz. According to them, his rope unattached from the palm tree he was working on, which caused his death.
“Everyday routine — goes up, does the job, cuts it down, comes back down, goes home, and it just wasn’t like that today,” said Richard Areloa, Cruz’s cousin.
According to Cruz’s loved ones, he had just celebrated his 48th birthday in September.
“He was always so giving,” said Janeth Cruz, the man’s niece. “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?’”
Rogelio has 20 years of experience trimming trees and the company he worked for was owned and operated by his family. He was on the job with his brothers at the time of the fall, who witnessed the tragedy.
“I don’t know how one can process what happened,” Areloa said. “Here we are, all still trying to cope with everything.”
Valerio Street was shut down as first responders and the coroner’s office responded to the tragedy.
LAFD Capt. Erik Scott said an urban search and rescue team responded to remove the victim’s body.
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