Accidental fall from cliff claims life of Simi man, 76

A Simi Valley man died Wednesday after falling from a cliff more than 200 feet above the ground in an unincorporated area near a ranch on the 5200 block of Tapo Canyon Road.

Donald Harrington, 76, was an employee of the ranch since 1963, and was working at the time of the accident, said Ventura County Sheriff's Department officials.

Between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 27, Harrington was operating a tractor in an area near the ranch with steep canyons.

Shortly before 5 p.m., Harrington's wife, concerned her husband had not returned, went out in search of him and found him near the bottom of the cliff.

The man was not breathing and he had no pulse.

At 5:13 p.m., Harrington's wife called 911 and sheriff's patrol units, Ventura County Fire Department personnel and a sheriff's rescue helicopter responded. They were not able to revive the man.

As of Thursday morning, officials did not know the details behind Harrington's fall. Investigation into the incident is still ongoing and information is being forwarded to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration because Harrington was on duty at the time of his death.