Newkirk Incident
Incident Name: Newkirk Incident
Date Reported: 4/26/2024
Time Reported: 1346 Hours
Incident Location: 2800 Block of Newkrik Dr, Riverside, CA 92507
Ward #: Ward 2 Cervantes
Type of Incident: Above Ground Rescue
Incident Number: RIV #24-014205
Control Time: 1700 Hours
Fatalities: 1
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Resources Assigned
Chief Officer(s): 3
Engine Companies: 2
Truck Companies: 3
Squad(s):
Ambulance(s): 1
Firefighter(s): 18
Safety Officer(s):
Public Information Officer(s): 1
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Current Situation
On Friday April 26, 2024, at 1:46 p.m., The City of Riverside Fire Department responded to a technical rescue at the 2800 block of Newkirk Drive. A tree trimmer contracted by the homeowner got trapped approximately 30 feet up a tree while trimming a palm tree behind a residential property. Due to the complexity of the rescue, the department’s technical rescue team is responded as well. Firefighters arrived to find the tree trimmer trapped under the weight of palm fronds that had fallen onto the tree trimmer. The tree trimmer was declared deceased by Firefighter/Paramedics.
The incident transitioned from a rescue to a body recovery. The body recovery was performed in conjunction with the Riverside Police Department and Riverside County Coroner Office. A total of 18 firefighters, three chief officers and one overhead captain responded to the incident.
Assisting Aid Agencies
Incident Commander: Battalion Chief Bruce Vanderhorst
Prepared By: Battalion Chief Bruce Vanderhorst
Date / Time Posted: 4/26/2024 1930 Hours
Information Center: 951.826.5321
