Los Angeles Firefighter Killed In Training Accident

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter and young father died Monday after falling from an aerial ladder during a Downtown training exercise over the weekend, authorities said.

Kelly Wong, 29, a married father of an infant son, was the top academic of his graduating class two years ago.

"Despite the heroic efforts of doctors and nurses at the hospital, Firefighter Wong succumbed to his injuries early (this) morning," LAFD spokesman Peter Sanders said.

A procession of Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters will escort his body from the County-USC Medical Center to the nearby coroner's office at about 10 a.m. Monday.

"I join the men and women of the LAFD in mourning Firefighter Wong's sudden passing," said LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas. ``It is always a tragedy to lose one of our own, especially an accomplished individual who was still at the beginning of what was certainly going to be a promising career."

Wong, was a two-year veteran of the department. He was assigned to Fire Station 92 in Rancho Park. However, he was scheduled to transfer to Fire Station 9 serving downtown Los Angeles and Skid Row on June 12 and was working at that station at the time of the accident.

Wong graduated from the LAFD Recruit Academy on Terminal Island in August 2015 and was the top academic performer in his class, Sanders said.

Wong is survived by his wife Danielle; his infant son Colton; his mother Ann; his mother-in-law and father-in-law Barbara and Michael Quinlan; and his sisters-in-law Nicole and Stephanie.

The LAFD, in conjunction with state safety agencies, is conducting an investigation into the circumstances of the death. Memorial services are pending.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report. Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Fire Department.