(AP) WILLOW CREEK, Calif. - A Hayward man has been identified as the U.S. Forest Service firefighter killed in a fall from a helicopter during a training exercise in Humboldt County.
The Forest Service says 20-year-old Thomas Marovich died after falling while taking part in a rappel proficiency training session Tuesday morning in Willow Creek.
Marovich was a second year apprentice with the Forest Service at the Modoc National Forest.
The Forest Service says at the time of the accident he was part of a crew assigned to fighting a wildfire burning in the Trinity Alps.
The Forest Service has mobilized an accident investigation team.
Killing a man in "training"....This LODD is inexcusable.....No-one should ever get killed in training... Where was the safety...? Was there any oversight..? Rest in peace Brother......condolences to the Family, Friends and Brothers/Sisters......Paul