Thursday evening, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office responded to Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley, where a fatal boom-lift accident killed two arborists who were breaking down those iconic shades that hovered over this year's Pickathon site. The two arborists were private contractors from GuildWorks.
According to a news release, the incident occurred around 4:30 pm yesterday, when two workers were "ascending in a boom lift before climbing further up trees to get to ropes holding up the complex shade installation.
"They were wearing safety equipment and were roped to the boom lift, which was reportedly positioned on an incline. The arborists were approximately 40 feet in the air when the boom lift tilted and fell. The arborists, still roped to the boom, were pulled to the ground with considerable force. Attempts at CPR were unsuccessful."
CSI technicians, Clackamas Fire District #1, the Clackamas County Medical Examiner's Office, Happy Valley PD, and American Medical Response also responded to the scene. The names of the deceased are not being released at this time due to pending family notifications.
Pickathon organizers released this statement about the tragic accident on their website:
"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two members of the GuildWorks crew during breakdown of this year’s festival. Please join us in offering up prayers and support to their families and friends during this difficult time. All involved in Pickathon are like members of a family to us. We will wrap our collective arms around all affected and share in the grieving process. Please stay connected to Pickathon as we work to provide support to the families."
Former Pickathon acts and supporters took to the music fest's Instagram post to voice their condolences.
"So very sorry to hear this. They created something beautiful for us all to experience and share, our sympathy and condolences to their families," wrote the account for Pickathon 2019 act Lucius (@ilovelucius)
"My heart breaks reading this news. Thank you @pickathon and @guildworkspdx for the beautiful environment that you created for all of us ❤️ let us know if we can help in any way. Sending love to the families ❤️," reads a comment from @JJuujjuu_, who also played the fest this year.
"Sending so much love. I’m so, so sorry to hear this 💔," said Ora Cogan (@oracogan)
