Fatal Accident During Routine Training at The Backbone Helibase Update
Incident: Backbone Wildfire
Released: 7/21/2009
NEWS RELEASE
U.S. Forest Service â National Incident Management Organization - Atlanta
Klamath National Forest
1312 Fairlane Road, Yreka, CA 96097 â Voice (530) 842-6131 â Web: www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath
Shasta-Trinity National Forest
3644 Avtech Parkway, Redding, CA 96002 â Voice (530) 226-2500 â Web: www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity
Six Rivers National Forest
1330 Bayshore Way, Eureka, CA 95501 â Voice (707) 442-1721 â Web: www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers
Release No. FS-07 21 09 (2) July 21, 2009
Fire Information: 530-629-2816
Email: backbone.fire.info@gmail.com www.inciweb.org/incident/1716/
Fatal Accident During Routine Training At the Backbone Helibase Update
WILLOW CREEK, Calif. - Thomas Marovich, 20, of Hayward California incurred fatal injuries when falling while performing routine rappel proficiency skill training, at the Backbone Helibase in Willow Creek.
Marovich was a second year apprentice with the Forest Service at the Modoc National Forest, and was working with the Chester Helitack Crew from the Lassen National Forest which was assigned to the Backbone Fire at the time of the accident.
At 10:10 this morning Marovich fell and incurred fatal injuries while performing the required training which is conducted at a minimum every 14 days to insure the crew's safety and skill proficiency.
The individual was provided advance life support treatment immediately at the scene. The Base medical staff, the Humboldt County Coroner's Office, and the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office were involved in the response.
The Forest Service has mobilized an accident investigation team and is working with the National Transportation Safety Board.
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