Riverside Fire Department

Newkirk Incident



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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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Moderate:

Minor:

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Cause:

  • Unintentional
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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

    Fire Investigator(s):

    Overhead Personnel:

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    Specialized Equipment:

  • US&R
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    Current Situation


    (Recent updates are posted at the top of the 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


  • RPD

  • 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