Rocky Point Fire Hit by Tree Fatality 1935

Melvin Richardson, an 18-year-old firefighter, was killed early on September 6, 1935, when he was struck by a falling snag on the Rocky Point Fire, Willamette National Forest, Oregon. His neck was reportedly broken by the tree, killing him instantly. Richardson was one of 40 men recruited in Albany, Oregon, to assist firefighting efforts, and working as one of a crew of ten firefighters. One of the other crewmembers, 51-year-old Clarence Radford passed away on September 21, his death linked to the emotional strain of seeing Richardson killed on the fire line. 

Hit by Tree, Fatality, Hand Crews