Tree Trimmer, Window Washer Die in Separate Job-Site Falls

SANTA ANA — Two men died from falls in separate job-related accidents on Monday, authorities reported.

A professional tree trimmer died after he fell about 25 feet when a branch he was standing on gave way Monday afternoon, authorities said.

Francisco Gutierrez, 58, of Santa Ana was with a crew from his son’s company, Martin’s Landscaping of Orange, said Sheriff’s Deputy Pat Lorey, with the coroner’s office. They were trimming a tree in a parking lot on East Chestnut Avenue. About 3:15 p.m., Gutierrez climbed a ladder and stood on a branch to get to a limb he was cutting, but he fell to the pavement when the branch broke, Lorey said.

He was taken to Western Medical Center-Santa Ana with head trauma and died at 5:55 p.m., officials said.

About 4:50 p.m., a window washer at TRW Inc., 33000 Avenida Pico, San Clemente, also fell and died of his injuries, authorities said. His name was unavailable Monday night.