North Carolina zoo employee killed in accident at zoo, officials say
Arborist died in falling during aerial rescue drill
Arborist died in falling during aerial rescue drill
Arborist died in falling during aerial rescue drill
A North Carolina Zoo employee was killed Thursday morning in a fall from a height of 20-30 feet during an aerial rescue drill, according to officials.
Authorities in Randolph County said they received a 911 call from the zoo, in Asheboro, about a person who had fallen from a tree at about 8:20 a.m.
The arborist died at the scene.
The North Carolina Department of Labor said the Occupational Safety and Health Division is investigating the death.
The zoo said it is working closely with investigators to determine details of the incident.
Officials said the employee's death is not related to any of the zoo’s animals.
"The entire zoo community is deeply saddened by this loss and our thoughts and sympathies are with the family of our team member," the zoo said in a statement.
With 500 developed acres, the North Carolina Zoo is the world's largest natural habitat zoo and one of two state-supported zoos in the United States.