Tree Trimmer Crushed to Death by Falling Palm Fronds in Freak Work Accident (Video)

A routine job turned deadly in Arizona after a tragic accident involving a towering palm tree.

A tree trimmer was killed while working in Tempe when a massive section of palm fronds suddenly came crashing down on him, authorities said. The incident happened Sunday morning near Mill Avenue and Apache Boulevard, prompting an urgent response from police and fire crews.

According to the Tempe Police Department, the worker had been elevated in the tree when what’s known as a “palm skirt” — a heavy cluster of dried fronds — broke loose and fell directly onto him.

Rescue crews rushed to the scene and worked quickly to secure the area. A ladder team managed to reach the man and remove the debris, while a Technical Rescue Team carefully lowered him to the ground. Despite their efforts, the victim, identified as 57-year-old Flavio Sesmas Maya, was pronounced dead at the scene.

No other injuries were reported.

The shocking accident highlights just how dangerous tree trimming can be — especially when it comes to palm trees. Local tree service owner Carter Allen, whose crew had been working nearby days earlier, said many people don’t realize the sheer weight involved.

“Palm trees present a number of hazards,” Allen explained. “There can be thousands of pounds of fronds. When they come loose, that’s an incredible amount of force coming down.”

He added that using lifts instead of climbing can reduce the risk, particularly with older trees that have years of growth stacked above.

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The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health has launched an investigation into the incident as officials work to determine exactly what went wrong in the fatal collapse.