Logwood 1973

On August 26, 1973, on the Logwood Fire on the Los Padres National Forest, a 12-person California Department of Forestry Ecology Crew was building fireline at the top of a ridge in steep ground near a cliff that dropped approximately 320 feet down into Logwood Creek. The crew was working approximately 5 to 10 feet above this drop-off in loose litter and rock. One of the CDF crewmembers slipped, but caught himself before falling over the cliff. A short time later he slipped again and barely caught himself. Next, he had his feet slip out from under him again--and slid on his stomach down into the canyon. The time was approximately 0705 hours. At 1715 hours, he was found face down in 12 inches of water. He was given mouth to mouth resuscitation--to no avail. His pulse was checked, with no indication of life. The coroner stated the official cause of death was drowning. However, the coroner also said that even if he had landed out of the water, he would have died within 15 minutes due to of his severe internal injuries.

Fatality, Initial Attack, Health and Fitness, Fall