26.02.2006

Tower crane operator rescued

A tower crane operator who suffered chest pains while working 100 metres above Los Angeles was rescued by a Fire Department helicopter on Thursday.

The operator aged 60, was unable to climb down on his own, and the use of a basket and pulley to lower him to the ground was ruled out because of the height.
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The helicopter crew prepare to winch the operator from the crane

Paramedics climbed the crane to treat him, he was in stable condition by the time he was put in a harness and hoisted into the helicopter over the Century City construction site.He was flown the short distance to the UCLA Medical Center for examination

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Up he comes and is whisked off to the UCLA medical centre