A man who took a long fall down a backyard embankment in Sherman Oaks on Thursday night was pulled out by Los Angeles firefighters using a low-angle rope rescue and rushed to the hospital in grave condition, according to officials. Crews had to reach a difficult, steep spot behind the home, then provided advanced life‑saving care before transporting him. The incident occurred at a residence on Witzel Drive and drew Engine and Truck companies, including units from Fire Station 78.
The Los Angeles Fire Department first flagged the rescue publicly with an alert and a map on social media. See X for the initial notice and location details, which also direct readers to a department incident page with more information.
What the department’s incident page shows
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department’s incident report at LAFD, the call was logged at 7:55 p.m. as a reported fall at 3962 N Witzel Drive. The department says an adult male suffered a long fall down an embankment in the backyard and remained there for an extended period before firefighters arrived, prompting a low-angle rope operation to reach him. Firefighter/paramedics then provided advanced life‑saving care and transported the man in grave condition. The incident listing notes Engine and Truck companies from Battalion 14 and rescue units among the responding resources.
How low-angle rope rescues work
Low-angle rope operations come into play when a victim is on a slope where rescuers can still keep most of their weight on solid ground while rope systems do the critical support work. These rescues typically rely on secure anchors, litters, and trained crews who can lower, belay, or haul a patient out of a tough spot, according to technical rescue guides. For more on the techniques and equipment involved, see Firehouse.
Nearby incidents and local context
Sherman Oaks and other parts of the Valley regularly see LAFD responses that range from brush and structure fires to technical rescues in hilly backyards and nearby ravines. Earlier coverage highlighted a Sherman Oaks apartment fire that required a multi‑unit response, underscoring the variety of emergencies handled by crews from Station 78 and surrounding companies…