Firefighters Mourn Rappel Accident Victim
Incident: Backbone Wildfire
Released: 7/22/2009
Release No. FS-07 22 09 (1) July 22, 2009
Fire Information: 530-629-2816
Email: backbone.fire.info@gmail.com www.inciweb.org/incident/1716/
Firefighters Mourn Rappel Accident Victim
WILLOW CREEK, Calif. - Firefighters are mourning the loss of their comrade Thomas (TJ) Marovich, Jr., 20, who incurred fatal injuries after an approximately 200 foot fall on Tuesday. The accident occurred during routine rappel training out of a Bell 212 helicopter, at the Backbone Helibase in Willow Creek.
Backbone fire personnel are deeply saddened by the accident and are having a small memorial as a tribute to Marovich's life at 9:30 am today at the Backbone Fire Incident Command Post. Firefighters and local residents have been invited and are expected to attend.
Critical Incident Stress Debrief teams will be on hand to counsel those closest to the victim and the accident to make sure they have an opportunity to work through their grief.
The Forest Service mobilized a serious accident investigation team who is working with the National Transportation Safety Board. The investigation team will be in-briefed at 6pm this afternoon.
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