Parachuting incident · Fractures and other injuries, n.e.c.
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Gila National Forest, 3005 E. Camino del Bosque, SILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO 88061
on — Fractures and other injuries, n.e.c., affecting the multiple body parts, n.e.c..
Final narrative
A smokejumper parachuted out of a plane to fight a wildfire. He had a hard landing on rocky terrain and suffered a skull fracture, a traumatic brain injury, facial fractures, a fractured neck vertebra, left-side pneumothorax, a broken left humerus, a broken left scapula, three broken ribs on the left side, a broken right tibia, and a shattered knee. He was hospitalized.
An employee was doing a tandem skydiving jump and had a hard impact with the ground. The employee sustained fractures to the pelvis, an arm, and a femur, as well as internal injuries.
During a training event, a smokejumper clipped a tree with his parachute, resulting in a partially collapsed canopy and a hard impact to the dirt ground. The employee was hospitalized for a hip injury.
A crew of approximately 20 employees were constructing hand lines when a dead tree collapsed and injured three of the employees, including two hospitalizations. One employee was hospitalized due to shoulder injuries, and the other employee was hospitalized due to collapsed lungs, spinal injuries, and a broken tibia and fibula.
An employee was cutting brush and shrubs. A bee stung the employee on the base of their neck. The employee sustained an allergic reaction and was hospitalized.
An employee was engaged in initial smokejumper training which includes physical fitness testing, tree climbing training, chainsaw and crosscut certification, as well as initial introduction to equipment and smokejumper-specific safety procedures. Some of the training involves carrying 110 pounds of equipment. The employee reported tightness in his chest and difficulty breathing. The employee was hospitalized with a lung injury.
An employee participated in smokejumper training, which includes carrying weight. He suffered from dehydration and was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis.
An employee was servicing an exterior mounted environmental control unit while on a 10-foot ladder. He pushed through a pre-made knockout hole on the panel. Upon bringing his arm down, a sharp area along the panel frame lacerated the top of his hand. The employee required surgery.
On 7/31/2025, an employee was training to ride an ATV when it went into a draw and she went over the front of the ATV, landing on the ground. The employee sustained a fractured arm.
An employee was standing behind a frac pump. A discharge hose failed and the employee was burned by hot water on the left upper abdomen. The employee was hospitalized.
An employee working as a contracted firefighter was using a bulldozer to push back an active fire line when they became entrapped in flames, resulting in first- and second-degree burns.
An employee was assisting with the delivery of pipe racks to the drilling rig. The driver was releasing the tie-down lock straps that were holding the pipe racks on the trailer. When the last strap was released, one of the pipe racks rolled off the trailer and struck the employee while they were on the passenger side of the trailer bed. The employee sustained an open wound to the hand and fractures to their left leg and spine.