Tree trimmer dies while working downtown

A tree trimmer died while trimming a palm tree in downtown San Diego Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

The man was found dangling from his safety harness about 50 feet up a palm tree on 14th Street between Broadway and C Street shortly after 2:20 p.m. Large fronds covered him, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Capt. Joe Amador said.

Firefighters used a ladder to reach the man. It took them about 20 minutes to free the unconscious man and bring him to the ground, Amador said.

Crews were not able to revive the man, whose name and age were not available. The cause of his death wasn’t immediately known.

Amador said the man’s co-workers were in the area earlier in the day but he wasn’t sure if they witnessed the incident.