Man falls out of helicopter during pot eradication

VISALIA, Calif. — Authorities in central California say a member of a volunteer environmental cleanup crew fell out of a helicopter and died during a marijuana eradication effort in Tulare County.

Detective James Fansett with the Tulare County Coroner’s Office says Shane Krogen fell out of the helicopter Thursday near Visalia, about 30 south of Fresno. Krogen was the executive director and founder of the nonprofit, High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew.

The organization supports preservation, stewardship and restoration of public lands.

Fansett says the reason for Krogen’s fall remains under investigation. The eradication effort was conducted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Federal Aviation Administration says the helicopter pilot declared a medical emergency due to a crewman being involved in a fall prior to landing in Visalia at 10:40 a.m.