The Canoga Park community is mourning after a devastating workplace accident claimed the life of 48-year-old Luis Ramirez Martinez, a tree-trimming worker who fell from a significant height and was fatally injured. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office publicly identified Martinez on Tuesday, confirming the heartbreaking details of an incident that has left coworkers and loved ones shaken.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the tragedy occurred around 3:25 p.m. on Monday in the 7400 block of North Canoga Avenue. Martinez had been trimming a tree when he fell nearly 35 feet, landing on a 10-foot iron fence below. The impact proved fatal, and emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene. The horrifying nature of the fall left witnesses distressed and first responders faced with a complex recovery operation.

Details about what caused Martinez to fall have not yet been determined. Authorities have released no information on whether equipment malfunction, structural failure, or a misstep played a role. The lack of clarity has added to the heartbreak of his coworkers, many of whom saw Martinez as experienced, dedicated, and careful in his work. Investigators are expected to examine the equipment used, the height from which he was working, and the safety protocols in place at the time.

Due to the dangerous and sensitive nature of the scene, an urban search and rescue team was called in to recover Martinez’s body. Using a high-angle rope system, crews worked carefully to ensure a safe and respectful removal. Fire officials also placed coverings around the area to shield Martinez’s body from public view, offering a measure of dignity during an incredibly difficult operation.

The emotional toll of the accident was immediately evident. The Mayor’s Crisis Response Team arrived on-site to provide support to Martinez’s coworkers, many of whom were visibly shaken and grieving. The team offered counseling, comfort, and resources to help them process the trauma of witnessing such a tragic loss.

As the investigation continues, those who knew Luis Ramirez Martinez are remembering him as a hardworking man who showed up every day to support himself and the people he cared about. His unexpected and heartbreaking death has left a void in the hearts of his team, his family, and the community. Authorities are expected to release additional details as their investigation into the cause of the fall moves forward.