Los Angeles County Firefighter Dies After Falling From Aerial Ladder while Training

LOS ANGELES – A young Los Angeles County Firefighter died early Monday morning, two days following a training accident where he fell from an aerial ladder on Saturday morning.

“Fellow firefighters and paramedics rendered immediate medical attention and transported him in critical condition to a local trauma center,” LAFD Spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said. Firefighter Kelly Wong, 29, a two-year Los Angeles County Fire Department veteran assigned to Fire Station 92 in Ranch Park was rushed into emergency surgery to address numerous blunt force trauma injuries caused by the fall officials said. Despite life-saving efforts provided by paramedics and firefighters at the scene, as well as doctors and nurses at the hospital, Firefighter Wong died Monday morning.

Firefighter Wong was scheduled to be transferred on June 12th to Fire Station 9, which serves Downtown and Skid Row, which is where he was training at the time of the accident. “Firefighter Wong graduated from the LAFD Recruit Academy on Terminal Island in August 2015, earning accolades as the top academic performer in his class,” added LAFD Spokeswoman Stewart.

At 10:00 a.m. the body of Firefighter Wong, in a brief ceremony, was moved from the LA County USC Hospital to the Coroner’s office. “I join the men and women of the LAFD in mourning Firefighter Wong’s sudden passing,” said LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas. “It is always a tragedy to lose one of our own, especially an accomplished individual who was still at the beginning of what was certainly going to be a promising career.” Wong leaves behind numerous family members including his wife Danielle and his infant son, Colton. He also leaves behind his mother Ann his mother-in-law and father-in-law Barbara and Michael Quinlan and his sisters-in-law Nicole and Stephanie.

“The LAFD, in conjunction with state safety agencies, are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragedy,” said Steward. Memorial services will be released when available. “Firefighter Kelly Wong & the entire LAFD family will be watching over baby Colton,” said Chief Ralph Terrazas in a Twitter tweet.

#LAFD @LAFDChief Terrazas comforting infant son of our fallen FF #KellyWong while awaiting procession. We are 💔 pic.twitter.com/DAoqPwqDfQ

— #LAFD Talk 💬 (@LAFDtalk) June 5, 2017

Our extended family paying #Respect to our fallen Firefighter Kelly Wong @LAFDChief @MayorOfLA #LACUSCHospital 📷PSanders pic.twitter.com/xVoWZPgeJE

— #LAFD Talk 💬 (@LAFDtalk) June 5, 2017

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