Update: Tree Worker Killed In Butte Fire Burn Scar Identified
Update at 2pm: Calaveras County officials have identified the man who was tragically killed Thursday while working on tree removal within the Butte Fire burn scar. He is Chris Hiser of Sonora who was employed by Leslie Heavy Hauling. The prime contractor for the Butte Fire Tree removal project is Phillips and Jordan.
Calaveras County Administrator, Timothy Lutz, says he wants to emphasize how deeply saddened the county is by this tragic event. He adds, “All of us here at Calaveras County and Phillips & Jordan mourn the loss of Mr. Hiser, and our hearts go out to his family and loved ones. We ask that their privacy be respected during this difficult time.”
Original story posted at 11am: San Andreas, CA — A 22-year old Sonora man tragically perished while working as part of a tree mortality tree removal crew in the Butte Fire burn scar yesterday.
Calaveras County Coroner Kevin Raggio says he is still in the process of contacting family members so he is not yet releasing the name of the victim.
According to the coroner, the man was trimming a tree while in the bucket of a utility truck when a limb from above came sliding down the boom and crashed onto him. He died at the scene of blunt force trauma.
The incident reportedly occurred around 11 a.m. at a location about four miles up on Whiskey Slide Road, north of Mountain Ranch.
